Climate Change Committee endorses strategy to build Highland’s climate resilience

Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee have agreed to recommend approval of a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, setting out how the Council will work with communities, businesses, and partners to build resilience and secure a sustainable future for the region.

Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Kate Willis, said: “The world’s climate is changing faster and more significantly than at any point in recent history. The Highland region is already experiencing climate change impacts, which are expected to intensify and affect all of us.

“Climate change impacts the services we deliver, the infrastructure we manage and the wellbeing of our residents. As a local authority, we have a critical role to play. This Strategy sets out the actions we will take to protect our properties, services, and economy from the impacts of a changing climate.”

Cllr Willis continued: “This Strategy outlines how Highland Council will turn strategic goals into tangible action, strengthening resilience across all services and communities. To move from strategy to action, we will focus on governance, partnerships, embedding adaptation in services, monitoring, reporting, resourcing and building capacity and skills. By prioritising actions that deliver multiple benefits for people, nature and the economy, we can build a Highland that is both prepared for and prosperous in a changing climate.”

The Strategy commits to a Climate Adaptation Action Plan, developed following a climate risk and opportunity assessment. This plan will ensure climate resilience is embedded into Council services. The Council will also work closely with partners to empower communities and support their capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change.