The Highland Climate Charter was first developed by the Highland Adapts Community Climate Advocates Group in 2022 for the first Highland Climate Festival. In 2024, alongside the Highland Environment Forum, Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, and Highland Green Health Partnership, we relaunched the charter with an expanded focus and even more ambitious aims.
The Highland Charter for Climate, Nature, and Health is a pledge to put climate, nature, and the benefits of green and blue health at the centre of decision-making and action, so that the natural environment and people have improved health, wellbeing, and resilience. It builds upon the previous Highland Climate Charter by bringing together three elements that are essential for the wellbeing of the planet.
Other Highland Adapts Projects
Climate Resilience Review for Strategic Documents
To achieve regional climate resilience, we need to embed resilience in strategies across all organisations, businesses, and groups in Highland. This can be daunting and challenging when you are already managing significant competing pressures on your time and resources. This year, Highland Adapts is piloting a peer support model to help strengthen climate change resilience in strategic documents (policies, plans, or strategies).
Highland Climate Change Risk & Opportunity Assessment (HCCROA)
Climate change risks in Highland are already significant and are expected to intensify over the coming decades. The HCCROA provides Highland’s first regional assessment of climate change risks and opportunities from the present day to the 2080s. It covers 50 risks and opportunities across five themes: land, nature, and food; health and wellbeing; community and economy; built environment; and infrastructure. The executive summary is available in English and Gaelic.
Highland Climate Change Economic Impact Assessment
Climate change will have potentially significant negative impacts on the Highland region equivalent to around -1.5% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) a year by the 2050s, rising to up to -3.3% a year by the 2080s. Our economic assessment provides the first Highland-specific regional economic analysis for climate change impacts. It also includes three sector reports: forestry and timber, energy, and food and drink.
Circular Economy Practices for Climate-Resilient Supply Chains
The Highland food and drink sector is on the frontline of climate change, facing increasing risks from extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and shifting market dynamics. This report focuses on the role circular economy practices (like retaining resource value and shortening supply chains) can play in strengthening climate resilience across the sector. The report identifies key barriers, local case studies, and opportunities for systemic change.
Highland Weather & Climate Story Map
Across the region, we are already feeling the effects of the changing climate on our weather, our landscapes, and our communities. The Highland Weather & Climate Story Map collects your first-hand experiences of weather and climate impacts on the Highland region. These stories will sit alongside other data and evidence, helping to paint a fuller picture of climate impacts and changes in Highland.