Climate Change Adaptation for Scotland’s Historic Environment

Mairi Davies
HISTORIC SCOTLAND
As a large public body, Historic Scotland (HS) has duties under Part 4 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 that require it to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to act sustainably. Ministers have identified HS as a ‘Major Player’ because it has a larger influence/impact on climate change than other public bodies. HS’s Climate Change Action Plan 2012-2017 sets out how it will fulfil its duties under the Act.
The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2012 identified a range of risks and opportunities that climate change may present. Many of these have the potential to impact on the historic environment. Historic Scotland is key to the delivery of the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, which includes quantifying heritage assets affected by climate change, collating action on understanding and mapping anticipated coastal erosion/flood risk to cultural heritage, and researching the physical effects on buildings of changing weather patterns and profiles.
We will present an overview of our work, including initial climate change risk assessments from around the Historic Scotland Estate, and specific conservation measures such as dune stabilisation and soft-capping of exposed wallheads. We will also outline collaborative work with Buildings Standards and other agencies to increase resilience against climate change impacts such as rainwater penetration, flooding, coastal erosion etc., and publication of guidance on how owners of traditional buildings can ensure that their property is ‘Climate Ready’.