Adaptation in the Outer Hebrides: A Community Planning Partnership-led response

Date added: 09/07/2020

In June 2019, the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership (OHCPP) set up a Climate Change Working Group tasked with improving understanding of climate change in the Outer Hebrides, building collaboration across organisations and developing plans and priorities to embed in the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP). The CCWG recognised climate adaptation as a priority due to the threat climate change poses to the islands’ built and natural heritage, economy and culture, and invited Adaptation Scotland to help develop its approach to adaptation planning.

Since then, we have helped the group to:

• Co-create a local evidence base, including developing a Climate Rationale setting out the shared climate challenge and an accompanying Case for Action providing a set of priority areas to improve climate resilience, grounded in what is important locally.
• Involve communities and gather local lived experience of climate impacts via a participative mapping approach and working with a local artist to create a ‘Climate Storyline’
• Strengthen their partnership and outreach by connecting with creative partners in the islands
• Take stock of successes and challenges, and understand what enables adaptation for the Outer Hebrides

Work to date has built a strong, collaborative partnership, which recognises the importance of linking climate adaptation and resilience to societal issues, moving beyond sectoral responses, and acknowledging the environment as the support network underpinning meaningful resilience action. Adaptation Scotland is delighted to see partners now moving from evidence gathering, capacity building and awareness raising activities to focus on developing and delivering actions, and accessing resources to enable a safer, healthier and flourishing Outer Hebrides.

“We have worked very closely with Adaptation Scotland who have given us clear direction and support as we have collated evidence, considered risks, engaged with communities and produced our Climate Rationale and Case for Action. Putting it simply – we would not be in the position we are in today without their advice and support. There is still much to be done, but with our increased understanding of the issues and risks we are in a much stronger place.”
David Maclennan, CCWG chair/ NatureScot

• Read our Project Summary describing the full story of our work with partners in the Outer Hebrides so far below
• Have a look at the Mapping Our Place case study to find out about the pilot approach taken to involve communities
• Download the CCWG's Climate Rationale and Case for Action
• Find out more about some of the adaptation tools and resources we have used to support our work in the Outer Hebrides