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Scotland’s infrastructure doesn’t operate in isolation—it functions as a complex, interconnected system. When climate-related risks like extreme weather or flooding strike, their impacts can ripple across sectors, disrupting services and communities in far-reaching ways.
To manage these shared challenges, infrastructure owners and operators need to work together—pooling knowledge, aligning efforts, and taking collective action on climate adaptation.
The Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum (The Forum) brings organisations together to do just that. It fosters collaboration between those who plan, deliver, and manage infrastructure across Scotland—helping build a more resilient future for everyone.
The Adaptation Scotland programme played a key role in establishing the Forum and continues to support its members to turn shared ambitions into action.
Members of The Forum, Wednesday 7 May 2025.
MOU Signatories
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Network Rail (Scotland) own, operate, maintain and develop Britain’s railway infrastructure and are responsible for ensuring that the railway is safe and reliable. They are an executive non-departmental public body. You can find out more about their approach to adaptation in their Climate Ready Plan. And, you can find out more about their approach to developing a long-term adaptation strategy for Scotland’s railway in their short animation series.
David Harkin, Weather and Climate Resilience Strategy Manager:
“There’s power in numbers – that’s the best thing about our Forum. By coming together to pool knowledge and resources we’ll collectively be able to achieve more in the climate adaptation space than we ever could on our own.”
Contact: David Harkin, Weather and Climate Resilience Strategy Manager
Email: [email protected]Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) is a coalition of climate and sustainability experts from Scotland’s Universities who believe that working together will help drive results. SBNZ is mobilising research, data and innovation to accelerate Scotland’s transition to Beyond Net Zero.The membership includes: University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, Heriot-Watt University, University of the Highlands and Islands, Robert Gordon University, University of St Andrews, University of Stirling, University of Strathclyde and University of the West of Scotland.
The member universities are building interdisciplinary collaborations around six core themes: Built Environment, Energy, Finance, Food, Natural Systems, and Transport.
Please visit our website to find out more.
Dr Kate Symons, Senior Research Partnership Manager:
“Adaptation will play a huge part in bringing about a positive and thriving Scotland beyond net zero. We are excited to join this partnership to bring Scotland’s world leading research and innovation on climate adaptation”.
Contact: Dr Kate Symons, Senior Research Partnership Manager
Email: [email protected]Sustrans is a UK-wide charity which makes it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle. They are the custodian of over 1,600 miles of National Cycle Network routes across Scotland, which facilitate over 90 million walking, wheeling and cycling trips each year.Sustrans uses internal climate adaptation guidance to embed adaptation into their planning processes, ensuring the infrastructure and initiatives the charity helps to deliver remain effective and resilient in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.
Jen Strong, Sustrans’ Head of Environmental Sustainability:
“Joining C.R.I.S is an important opportunity for us to collaborate and learn from a broad spectrum of organisations to strengthen our approach to climate adaptation. As a charity, this will help us to prioritise actions so that we can make the most impact to protect the National Cycle Network for communities within Scotland and across the UK.”
Contact: Jon Rowe, Head of Design and Engineering, Scotland
Email: [email protected]Contact: Jen Strong, Head of Environmental Sustainability
Email: [email protected]Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) owns ferries, ports, harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the west coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary, and the Northern Isles. They are wholly owned by the Scottish Government with Scottish Ministers the sole shareholders.Ruth Rice, Environmental & Sustainability Manager:
“Combined, the members of C.R.I.S have a wealth of experience in climate change risk and adaptation. It is exciting to work with members to develop and share knowledge and better understand interdependencies to improve the climate resilience of Scotland’s infrastructure.”
Contact: Ruth Rice, Environmental & Sustainability Manager
Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) is a Non-Departmental Public Body controlled by Scottish Ministers was set up with the express purpose of overseeing the governance of train operating companies under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993 – including the new publicly owned ScotRail Trains Limited. It was been set up in line with the government’s policy.This publicly-owned company operates rail services in Scotland and continues to be known as ‘ScotRail’.
Scotland’s Railway Climate Ready Plan.
You can explore further details of ScotRail’s Sustainability Action by visiting our sustainability hub.
Poul Wend Hansen, Head of Sustainability:
“This partnership will enable a discussion across the numerous stakeholders that have to work together to take action in response to our changing climate. It will require us to take micro local actions and well as macro actions at regional level.”
Contact: Poul Wend Hansen, Head of Sustainability
Forestry and Land Scotland are an executive agency of the Scottish Government. Managing the national forests and land on behalf of Scottish Ministers, Forestry and Land Scotland looks after 9% of Scotland. Our work – core to Scotland’s climate emergency response – is set out in our Climate Change Plan (2021), Corporate Plan (2022-25) and in emerging adaption plans. The work we do covers a broad spectrum of activity from woodland creation and timber production, hosting renewable energy generation, peatland and rainforest restoration and adapting our forests and woodlands to make them more resilient and better able to deliver benefits for biodiversity, communities and for Scotland’s economy.Lena Boukelia, Climate Change Officer:
“FLS already enjoy long-standing working relationships with many of the partners and know how effective a collaborative approach is in responding to the challenges of climate change.”
Contact: Dr Lena Boukelia, Climate Change Officer
Email: [email protected]The Centre for Future Infrastructure is based within the Edinburgh Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh. The centre’s role is partner with industry and public sector organisations to research, develop and support adaptation and resilience of existing infrastructure and underpin the development of innovative infrastructure addressing climate change, societal needs, advancing knowledge and economic growth.C.R.I.S provides a pan-Scotland gateway to knowledge exchange across many different infrastructure operators and public sector organisations accelerating solutions to address the synergetic climate change challenges and geographies.
Professor Sean Smith, Director – Centre for Future Infrastructure, University of Edinburgh:
“We are excited to be involved with C.R.I.S. and the opportunities to galvanise R&D and solutions for climate ready infrastructure and the positive legacy for our current and future generations”Contact: Professor Sean Smith, Director – Centre for Future Infrastructure, University of Edinburgh
NHS Scotland Assure exists to improve how risk is managed in the healthcare built environment across Scotland. Managing risk in the right way gives those involved in maintaining NHS buildings, facilities and equipment confidence and reassurance.Evelin Bocanegra, Sustainability Manager (Adaptation and Resilience), NHSScotland Assure:
“NHSScotland Assure welcomes this partnership initiative, recognising the importance of collaboration in achieving our adaptation objectives. It presents a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and learn from one another as we work together to adapt critical infrastructure to the growing impacts of climate change.”
Contact: Evelin Bocanegra Rios, Sustainability Manager
Email: [email protected]SSEN Distribution is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) delivering electricity to over 3.9 million homes and businesses across its two licence areas; the north of Scotland and central southern England.As electricity demand grows hugely in the years to come, due to the decarbonisation of heating and transport, SSEN Distribution will play a pivotal role in developing the systems which support this transition, which will in turn help deliver decarbonisation and sustainable economic growth.
SSEN Distribution’s Climate Resilience Strategy outlines how the network operator will adapt to the impacts of climate change, make use of adaptation pathways, and identify the actions needed to improve the network’s resilience to the risks of climate change.
SSEN Climate Resilience Strategy
Craig Thom, Sustainability Compliance Delivery Manager:
“In this increasingly-interconnected world, if one organisation’s services fail, then this can have ramifications for all of us. That’s why this new forum is so worthwhile. It’ll give us all the chance to work together, to better understand our interdependencies, and in so doing develop greater resilience for our respective operations. With an ever-more volatile climate, this collaboration is more important than ever.”
Contact: Craig Thom, Sustainability Compliance Delivery Manager
Email: [email protected]Scottish Water looks after Scotland’s most precious natural resource. From source to tap, we’re trusted to keep you supplied with world class water and care for our environment every minute of every day. Scottish Water is publicly owned, so every penny we make is reinvested – currently around £800m a year in infrastructure to keep our water the way you like it. But with climate change comes greater challenges – it isn’t as simple as collecting rain and sending it to your taps. We have over 4,500 staff working night and day to deliver fresh, cool, clear water to your homes and businesses.Scottish Water Adaptation Plan.
Mark Williams, Head of Sustainability:
“Delivering effective climate change adaptation for Scotland’s communities demands effective partnership working. Scottish Water relies on a range of infrastructure – power, transport, communications and land – to deliver our services. It is important we have a shared view of the risks posed by future climates, explain what this means to customers, what we are doing about it, and where we can work together across our organisations to deliver cost-effective adaptation and support resilient services for Scotland.”
Contact: Laura Burnett, Climate Change Adaptation Lead
The University of Strathclyde, based in the heart of Glasgow in Scotland, is recognised for its world-class research, applied knowledge exchange and educational programmes. Founded in 1796 as ‘A Place of Useful Learning’, the University of Strathclyde is a leading technological University with around 30,000 students from more than 140 nations. The University includes the Centre for Water, Environment, Sustainability and Public Health which undertakes fundamental and applied research to provide novel solutions to some of the most pressing engineering and environmental challenges, including working both locally and internationally to understand and address the challenges posed by climate change.University of Strathclyde Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
Dr Chris White, Head of the Centre for Water, Environment, Sustainability and Public Health, University of Strathclyde:
“The CRIS forum is unique in bringing together critical infrastructure owners and operators and academics across Scotland to work collaboratively to understand, share knowledge and better manage the increasing risks associated with a changing climate, enabling the adaptation of the nation’s infrastructure assets to better cope with future climate changes.”
Contact: Dr Chris White, Head of the Centre for Water, Environment, Sustainability and Public Health
Email: [email protected]The SGN Group owns one of the UK’s largest and most innovative gas distribution networks, operating across Scotland, southern England and Northern Ireland. The regulated part of the business (regulated by Ofgem) form the core of the activities in providing a safe and secure supply of gas to 6 million customers throughout the three gas networks.We have a Climate Resilience Strategy which forms a part of the SGN Business Plan for 2026 – 2031.
Climate change adaptation report (4th round), SGNs response to DEFRA.
Carolina Karlstrom, Head of Sustainability, SGN:
“With accelerating climate change across the country, the need for climate adaptation have never been greater. We are excited to join the C.R.I.S partnership as regional collaboration is essential to enable safe and resilient organisations for the benefit of society.”
Contact: Carolina Karlstrom, Head of Sustainability, SGN
Verture is a Scottish charity that helps everyone, in every place, thrive as our climate changes. Verture delivers the Adaptation Scotland programme, funded by the Scottish Government.Contact: Jonny Casey, Head of Climate Ready Leadership
Email: [email protected]The Met Office is the UK’s national meteorological service and a world-leading climate research organisation. It is an arms-length body of the UK Government. You can find out more about how research from the Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme helps inform adaptation action on their website.Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme.
John Harrison, Associate Director, Relationships:
“Robust, actionable climate science is critical to helping inform the need for adaptation in a rapidly changing climate. At the Met Office, we are excited to be part of a partnership which strives to collectively drive forward action today which will help people in Scotland stay safe and thrive tomorrow.”
Contact: John Harrison, Associate Director, Relationships
Email: [email protected]Contact: Douglas Taylor, Senior Stakeholder Manager for Devolved Administrations
Email: [email protected]NatureScot is Scotland’s nature agency. They work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. Maintaining and enhancing Scotland’s nature brings many benefits, particularly helping our society and economy to adapt to accelerating climate change.NatureScot’s approach to adaptation is set out in the NatureScot Adapts framework.
Contact: Clive Mitchell, Head of Terrestrial Science
Regional Transport Partnership for North East ScotlandWe are really keen to work with partners to gain relevant contacts for climate adaptation to protect transport prosperity and economic growth for our region. We are excited to be part of this forum and we look forward to being involved.
Regional transport strategy for the North East of Scotland.
Contact: Adam Kench. Transport Officer
The South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) is the statutory Regional Transport Partnership for the South East of Scotland. SEStran encompasses eight local authorities: City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian.SEStran 2035 regional transport strategy.
Annual climate change reporting.
Contact: Rebecca Smith, Projects Officer
Email: [email protected]Transport Scotland is the national transport agency, seeking to deliver a safe, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport system for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Transport Scotland is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers, with a budget of around £4 billion per year. Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government’s focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment.Transport Scotland’s Approach to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (ACCAR).
Contact: Emma Thomas, Climate Change Manager
Scottish Power Energy Networks are a Distribution and Transmission Network Operator. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses throughout Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire.We do this through the network of Overhead Lines and Underground Cables which we own and maintain. No matter who you pay your bill to, we’re the people to contact if you have a power cut, need a new or upgraded power connection or spot an issue with our equipment.
Our three regulated electricity businesses are:
- SP Transmission PLC (SPT)
- SP Distribution PLC (SPD)
- SP Manweb PLC (SPM)
Scottish Canals owns, operates, maintains and develops Scotland’s historic canal network delivering multiple sustainable benefits for the people of Scotland. We are an executive non-departmental public body.Our 2023-28 Corporate Plan commits to the development of a Climate Change Resilience Strategy by 2028 and Water Stewardship Action Plans by 2028
We completed a desk-based assessment of climate risk on our built assets in 2019 which informs our asset maintenance priorities as guided by Scottish Canals’ Asset Management Strategy 2018-2030.Dr Olivia Lassiere, Environment Manager, Scottish Canals:
“I am excited about the future potential for the delivery of shared climate change multi-organisational adaptation solutions through strong partnership working with The Forum.”
Contact: Olivia Lassiere, Environment Manager
Email: [email protected]
