Historic Scotland and Climate Change

Climate change is seen as one of the most important and defining issues of the twenty-first century.  The global economy, environment and social structures are increasingly affected by climate change issues, whether it is the devastating environmental effects of flooding and storms on people and land, the depletion of non-renewable resources and closer to home – rapidly increasing energy prices.  

The UK climate is changing more rapidly than in the past.  These changes, including rising sea levels, increased rainfall and increasing intensity of rainfall and storms, have the potential to cause considerable damage to the historic environment.  

To slow down and prevent further excessive changes in climate we need to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The UK Climate Impacts Programme provides information to help organisations adapt to climate change.

Our role in climate change

Historic Scotland, which is part of the Scottish Government, is contributing to the government’s strategy to tackle climate change and reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint whilst maintaining prosperity.  We are playing an important part in the government’s  Greener Scotland* strategic objective to improve Scotland’s natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it.  

This is reflected in our   Corporate Plan [pdf, 273kb] which identifies the government’s purpose target to “reduce emissions by 80% by 2050” from the National Performance Framework as of particular relevance to Historic Scotland ‘s specific objectives.