Facing Up to Climate Change: 10 years on
In 2011, the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) undertook a comprehensive and influential inquiry on climate change and the barriers hindering Scotland’s efforts at becoming a low-carbon society, Facing Up to Climate Change.
A lot has happened over the subsequent ten years – and at the same time, not enough. While Scotland has made some progress towards meeting its world-leading emissions reduction targets, certain sectors remain in need of concerted and integrated action. On the near-eve of COP26 deliberations in Glasgow, we reflect on where we are and where we need to go if Scotland is to meet its decarbonisation commitments and deliver a society that is sustainable, fair, resilient, and prosperous.
To stimulate debate, members of the 2011 inquiry team collaborated with new contributors to produce five think-pieces, focusing on those areas which remain particularly vulnerable to – or in some cases, responsible for – climatic impacts and should therefore be prioritised by policymakers and implementers as they take forward Scotland’s climate ambitions.
Climate change and environment
Professor Alan Werritty FRSE, University of Dundee; Dr Heidi Burdett, Heriot-Watt University and RSE’s Young Academy of Scotland; Professor Des Thompson FRSE, NatureScot.
Land use and climate change
Professor Sarah Skerratt; Pete Ritchie, Nourish Scotland; Professor Deborah Roberts, James Hutton Institute.
Participatory politics and the climate emergency
Peter McColl, The Consultation Institute and RSE’s Young Academy of Scotland; Dr Oliver Escobar, University of Edinburgh; Professor Jan Webb, University of Edinburgh.
Energy
Professor Jan Webb, University of Edinburgh; Professor Rebecca Lunn FRSE, University of Strathclyde.
City regions and urban areas
Dr Andy Kerr, Climate-KIC; Professor Duncan MacLennan FRSE, University of Glasgow; Dr Louise Reid, University of St Andrews.
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