​​Planning for coastal change adaptation in Scotland​

Areas of the Scottish coast are highly vulnerable to serious erosion and flooding due to climate change. In 2022, the Scottish Government introduced Coastal Change Adaptation (CCA) funding for local authorities (LAs), to help with planning to mitigate the impacts of these hazards on coastal communities.   

A total of £6.7 million to date has been released through two funding routes: using a direct allocation model, with monies paid directly to a LA and not subject to ringfencing; and through case study applications, with monies paid directly to a LA for a specific activity or set of activities as outlined in the application form. A further £5 million in CCA funding will be distributed in 2025-26.  

A key intended outcome of the CCA funding is that LAs develop Coastal Change Adaptation Plans (CCAPs).   

This report investigates:   

• Awareness among surveyed LA practitioners of coastal erosion and sea level rise-associated risks.   
• How LAs have used CCA funding both through direct allocation and case study monies.  
• The different barriers to planning for coastal change adaptation that have emerged.   

The report is based on a survey, interviews and focus group discussions with LAs. It is not a representative sample of officers across Scottish LAs and the outcomes have not been through a formal review process by COSLA.   

The findings and recommendations are an initial step in helping inform future Scottish Government decision-making for financing and supporting coastal change adaptation through LAs.

Summary of findings  

Adaptation is a process that can involve multiple activities and actors across sectors, levels of government and with impacted communities. Risk assessments, awareness raising, monitoring and evaluation, planning, and implementation of nature-based solutions can all be part of this process. The Scottish Government’s dynamic adaptive pathways approach to coastal change adaptation takes into account this spectrum of activity and offers flexibility in managing future uncertainty at the coast.   

The research found that while awareness of climate change-enhanced coastal hazards was high, the progress on spending CCA funds was slow. The majority of participants noted that their LAs were at an early stage of the adaptation planning process.   

CCA funds had so far been spent on evidence gathering, the management of ongoing coastal risks, and initial community and stakeholder engagement work. Participants also noted that many future activities were planned to focus specifically on land-based adaptation.   

The diversity of governance structures across LAs was found to affect planning for coastal change adaptation, and influenced whether directly allocated or case study funding routes were more effective.   

For further information, including a full list of findings and recommendations, please read the report. 

If you require the report in an alternative format, such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.