Scotland’s changing climate
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Our climate is changing rapidly. We have already seen significant changes in our weather systems in Scotland, including more rain during the winters, and periods of drought in parts of Scotland during the summers. Our coastline is also changing, with sea level rise contributing to coastal erosion.
The weather extremes we experience are also changing, with our hottest days getting hotter, and our wettest days getting wetter, as well as more intense storm events. Our weather will become more variable and unpredictable, with extreme weather events becoming more common.
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Projections show that because of the greenhouse gas emissions we have already emitted globally, our climate will continue to change in the coming years, with the impacts of climate change becoming more intense.
In the long term, the amount of change that occurs will depend on how successful we are in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland and globally.
Climate change projections for Scotland – Summary
Scotland’s 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1997. The average temperature for the last decade (2014-2023) was 1.02°C warmer than the 1961-1990 average, and the warmest year on record was 2022.
There has been an increase in rainfall over Scotland in the past few decades. The annual average rainfall in the last decade (2014-2023) was 10% wetter than the 1961-1990 average, with winters 29% wetter. Scotland has been impacted by at least 60 named storms (when Met Office amber or red warnings for all/part of the UK are issued) since 2015.
Mean sea level around the UK has risen by approximately 18.5cm from the start of the 20th century and the rate of sea level rise has increased over the last 30 years and continues to accelerate.
Learn more about adaptation
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Impacts of climate change
Understand how climate change and extreme weather events have impacted our natural environment, infrastructure, and our society
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What is adaptation?
Adaptation involves us preparing for both extreme weather such as storms, and more gradual changes such as when growing seasons start and end.
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Related resources
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PSCAN Bi-Annual Meeting: Strengthening Scotland’s Climate Adaptation Network
On 28 May 2025, members of the Public Sector Climate Adaptation Network (PSCAN) gathered for their bi-annual meeting in a hybrid format, with over 50 participants joining from across Scotland. The day brought together public sector professionals to reflect on progress, explore new research and practical examples, and discuss future priorities for climate adaptation. Reflecting […]
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Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum
Adaptation Scotland are working with infrastructure owners and operators to support the Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum, fostering collaboration to manage shared climate risks.
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Adaptation & Social Care: Building a Resilient Social Care Sector in Scotland
On 26 March 2025, the Adaptation Scotland Programme hosted a collaborative event focused on a crucial question: How can Scotland’s social care sector build the resilience needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change? The session brought together practitioners, public health experts, and social care leaders to share insights and begin shaping a shared […]
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