£550,000 is being allocated to address climate risks such as increased flooding, coastal erosion, extreme heat and water scarcity.
Rain floods Drumchapel’s B&Q
The Scottish Government have approved funding to help regions adapt to the impact of climate change. The funding is work over half a million pounds and Drumchapel and North Lanarkshire are among the areas receiving this funding.
Projects aimed at protecting homes that are at risk of flooding and tackling the impacts of extreme heat in towns and cities are some of the initiatives benefitting from Scottish Government funding to guard communities against the impacts of climate change.
The £550,000 funding is supporting local authorities, health boards, community groups and businesses to work together to address climate risks such as increased flooding, coastal erosion, extreme heat and water scarcity.
The project in Drumchapel works to improve flood resilience for families in the area, where 15 homes were evacuated during a major flooding incident in 2021, by supporting the removal of drainage constraints that put these vulnerable properties at a continued risk.
In North Lanarkshire the project will include introducing natural flood management measures such as leaky dams, which help slow water flow during heavy rainfall, and woodland planting in Allanton to protect homes and improve local biodiversity.
This comes ahead of the Climate Adaptation Leadership Summit in Edinburgh today (December 18) and reflects a key action from Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan, the funding will be provided through regional partnerships.
Led by Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin and Permanent Secretary Joe Griffin, the summit will see public sector leaders agree how to accelerate action and collaboration and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Ms Martin said: “While we must ensure Scotland continues to play its part in addressing the causes of climate change, we must also be ready to deal with the impacts that are already upon us.
“This year alone, we have witnessed the worst wildfires in living memory in the Cairngorms, high levels of water scarcity across the whole of Scotland, and 18 areas of Scotland recording their highest ever temperatures in the summer.
“All of these have had significant impacts on industry, farming, wildlife, and our daily routines, placing strain on the complex systems that sit behind simple actions we take for granted like turning on the tap, food shopping and travelling from A to B.
“This funding for Climate Ready Regions, highlights the importance of investing in Scotland’s future and working in partnership – so that the places where we live and work are resilient to the impacts of climate change.
“There will be a huge social and economic payoff for decades to come if we get this right, by ensuring that Scotland keeps running smoothly in the face of climate disruption.”
Glasgow City Council. convener for Climate, Councillor Angus Millar said: “We’re delighted to have worked with Verture and the Climate Ready Regions project this year to accelerate action in the Glasgow city region.
“This funding is helping us work closely with community groups, businesses and others to build practical solutions that will make a real difference on the ground. Building resilience to flooding and other climate risks is essential for protecting our communities and local economy.”