Following many fruitful months of research, collaboration and engagement, in March 2023 Adaptation Scotland and partners launched the Community Climate Adaptation Routemap, a practical guide for communities to adapt to climate change. Adaptation Scotland is a programme funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Sniffer.

Through the Adaptation Scotland Programme, we produced the Routemap in collaboration with Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, the Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), North East Scotland Climate Action Network (NESCAN Hub), and the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN) alongside contributions from ReadyScot, Sustrans, Architecture & Design Scotland, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and others.

The new routemap resource offers a highly practical and accessible guide on adaptation, aimed at allowing local groups such as community gardeners, residents groups and community councils to act now to protect their environments in the future.

This interactive resource serves as an easy-to-follow guide to cover everything from regenerating nature to greener household actions such as reducing dampness and overheating. It also covers self-sufficiency in local communities, transport options to reduce emissions and how to check areas have sufficient insurance against climate risks.

Whatever kind of community you are, there are things you can do to build resilience and prepare for climate change and at the same time make your place healthier, safer and more comfortable to live in for humans and other creatures alike. This Routemap is valuable for anyone who would like to:

• Understand and address climate change impacts within your community now and in the future
• Explore what actions you can take to build resilience and adapt while addressing other important issues for you community
• Invest in your community and protect against future costs and learn about what funding and support is available

The Routemap is split into three distinctive stages to launch then drive climate resilience in local areas: ‘getting started’, ‘understanding climate change in your community’, and ‘taking action’. In each you will find helpful advice and links to support every step.

Access the Routemap