priorities for action

The report "Developing the role of greenspace in climate change mitigation and adaptation" identified the following priorities for action:

enhancing and using policy

Scotland has a very supportive policy framework for climate change action. The Adaptation Framework, in particular, makes direct reference to the importance of greenspace. Greenspace, however, has a relatively low profile in the specific actions and this risks greenspace options being ignored or misinterpreted. The opportunity exists to draw together all of the elements mentioned in the Adaptation Framework to produce a ‘greenspace response’ which provides more details of ‘how, where and why’ greenspace interventions could help to deliver the Framework. This is particularly important because the Sector Action Plans are designed to be ‘live’ documents which will be periodically updated.

It is important that, wherever possible, greenspace practitioners use the links to climate change policy to strengthen the arguments for delivering quality greenspace.

increasing knowledge and understanding

The report identifies a need for further greenspace and climate change research in Scotland, priorities include:

• looking at the implications of the urban climate change modelling work elsewhere in the UK to apply this in a Scottish context (to investigate whether the issues and solutions differ)
• continuing current Scottish research into integrated habitat networks, green roofs and naturalised SUDS
• identifying the implications and options for greenspace planning and management of targeting climate change mitigation and adaptation
• identifying the costs of greenspace interventions and comparing these with other approaches

There is a particular demand for the development of Scottish exemplars and case studies which capture and illustrate the role of greenspace planning, management and use in delivering climate change benefits.

targeting action

It is important that interventions are targeted where they can have the greatest impact, particularly at a time of reducing resources. In tackling climate change through greenspace, this means:

• targeting action where the risks from climate change are greatest
• targeting action where a range of benefits can be delivered with one intervention
• targeting ‘strategic wins’ where actions at a regional scale can deliver benefits in a wide range of local areas

The second phase of this project is taking forward work on a series of Scottish exemplars looking at the potential for changes in the design and management of greenspace and public spaces to contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation. There are two strands to the programme: creating a climate change park and urban greening for Scottish streets. Information on phase 2 can be viewed here

This research was supported by Scottish Natural Heritage