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MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
For many people, climate change is shrouded in mystery. It is the preserve of scientists and experts; so much of what we see and hear is second hand. And many people think of climate change as something that is in the far future and might never happen. In fact, climate change is one of the most serious threats we face - here and now - and we can see it for ourselves if we look.
The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill will introduce the most ambitious climate change legislation anywhere in the world, putting Scotland at the forefront of international action to cut emissions and deal with the cause of climate change. This legislation will also drive new thinking, new solutions and new technologies to deliver the shift to a sustainable low carbon economy and achieve our vision of a Scotland as the Green Energy Capital of Europe. With similarly ambitious commitment from global partners, we can limit future climate change. But we still have to face the consequences of past and present emissions, and that means adapting to a world whose climate has changed and is continuing to change.
This Government has a single overarching Purpose - to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. Obviously, the world is facing difficult economic times and there will be a need for some major rebuilding and restructuring. If the present economic climate teaches us one thing, it is that Scotland needs to build and plan on the basis of long-term, sustainable ideas - not just short-term gain.
That's exactly what climate change adaptation is about. It means looking at basic infrastructure; policies and plans and asking how they would look in thirty, forty or fifty years time. In 2050, would we regret having built on land that becomes liable to flooding? Would we regret having upgraded a train line through valleys that may become liable to landslips? Or would we be pleased we had spotted the opportunity for increased tourism to the Highlands and Islands as summers become warmer and drier? Would we be glad a new harbour was planned to cope with rising sea levels and withstand more powerful waves?
Innovation has always been one of Scotland's key strengths. By identifying the issues now, Scotland can take innovative action to minimise the negative impacts of climate change and take full advantage of new opportunities. That means planned change - not necessarily the way we do things now, but sometimes planning for doing different things in the future.
I want the Scottish Government to do all it can to foster innovative adaptation and the Climate Change Adaptation Framework will create the right conditions to release our innovative spirit. It will help decision takers to make choices that later look inspired, and avoid decisions that offer short-term gain, but turn out to give long-term pain.
I don't pretend that climate change will be easy. I don't suggest that adaptation reduces the need to cut carbon emissions. But it is a vital way of laying the foundations of our future economy, environment and social wellbeing.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Climate Change
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