Abstract

ClimateXChange (CXC) is Scotland’s Centre of Expertise on Climate Change, supporting the Scottish Government’s policy development on climate change mitigation, adaptation and the transition to a low carbon economy. The centre delivers objective, independent, integrated and authoritative evidence in response to clearly specified policy questions.

CXC has by mid-2016 published over 100 indicators measuring and monitoring progress in building a Climate Ready Scotland. The indicators support Scottish Government policy in three key areas:

• Inform and analyse risks identified for Scotland in the UK’s Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA)
• Show progress towards the objectives set out in Scotland’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme (SCCAP)
• Inform the independent assessment of the SCCAP carried out by the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the UK Committee on Climate Change

Risk/Opportunity and Impact indicators explore risks and opportunities Scotland faces as a result of current climate change (identified from the CCRA/ SCCAP), and quantify the impacts across sectors and the regions of Scotland. 

Action indicators look at what is being done. Are current policy and climate change adaptation actions having the desired effect? The indicators are multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral. As such they are relevant to the work of a wide range of government policy teams, agencies, NGOs, local authorities, planners and others working towards a climate resilient Scotland. The individual indicators are presented in thematic narratives - a ‘one-stop-shop’ providing data, insight and analysis on adaptation to climate change. 

This first set of 105 indicators, presented in 13 narratives, capture the best available scientific knowledge--populated through research by 80 academic researchers and agency staff across 25 organisations--and were developed in partnership and consultation with more than 50 policymakers and stakeholders.