The Highland Council's Climate Change Committee has noted the findings of the UK's latest independent climate risk assessment and agreed to recommend funding for the Highland Adapts partnership to support climate adaptation and resilience activity across the region.
At its meeting on Wednesday 12 August 2026, the Committee considered the implications of the Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment Independent Assessment, published by the UK Climate Change Committee, for the Council's climate adaptation and resilience activities.
The assessment highlights increasing risks associated with flooding, coastal change, heat, drought, wildfire, ecosystem degradation, food security and disruption to critical infrastructure, and concludes that current and planned adaptation measures are not keeping pace with climate change. Members noted that many of the risks identified nationally are consistent with findings from the recently published Highland Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment, reinforcing the importance of strengthening community resilience and preparedness.
The Committee agreed to recommend that the findings of the assessment are used to inform the continued development of the Council-wide Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan and related adaptation activity.
Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Cllr Kate Willis, said: “The recent Cairngorms wildfire has highlighted the challenges that prolonged dry conditions and periods of extreme weather can create for communities, land managers, emergency services and sensitive habitats. While no single event can be attributed solely to climate change, the Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment identifies increasing risks from drought, extreme heat and wildfire as temperatures continue to rise. It demonstrates why adaptation and resilience matter. We need to ensure our communities, infrastructure and natural environment are resilient and prepared for the changing risks we face."
The Committee also considered an update on Highland Adapts and agreed to recommend to the Council the approval of £15,000 funding towards the Partnership for 2026/27, recognising its role in supporting regional collaboration on climate adaptation and resilience.
Highland Adapts is a regional partnership working to improve understanding of climate risks and strengthen resilience across Highland. The partnership led the development of the Highland Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment and associated economic analysis, helping to build the shared evidence base to inform climate adaptation planning and strategic decision-making across the region.