‘Flexible adaptation pathway(s)’ is a relatively loose term used to look at how building flexibility in to adaptation can help to manage the long-term and uncertain nature of climate change impacts.

The approach uses risk-based decision frameworks involving thresholds and trigger points for making systematic adjustments in response to new information and changing circumstances.  It has its roots in financial risk management. 
 
This brief looks at how the flexible adaptation pathways approach is being used internationally and considers how it might be used in Scotland.

The Scottish Government asked ClimateXChange to conduct a comparative review of strategies for adapting to climate change in other countries. The review looks at how other countries have approached certain key issues in their adaptation strategies. It provides evidence and learning points for the Scottish Government to consider in formulating Scotland’s first statutory Adaptation Programme. ClimateXChange researchers reviewed 12 strategies from countries in Europe and beyond. 

The report has already informed policy thinking on how lessons from other countries can be applied in the Scottish context. It has also sparked some further, more focused pieces of work, which ClimateXChange is now undertaking.