Climate change is not only a risk in itself to operational, teaching and research activities, but also a multiplier of many other risks. It is vital that considerations of climate change risks and how these can be minimised (through adaptation actions), do not become siloed within the remit of Sustainability or Estates Teams.
Developed by a Working Group of FHE sustainability and risk professionals, led by the EAUC and HEBCoN (the Higher Education Business Continuity Network) with the support of adaptation specialists from AECOM, two Guides published in summer 2019 highlight why, and how, to effectively embed considerations of climate change risk within your existing risk and business continuity procedures.
The main guide, Adapting universities and colleges to a changing climate: Making the case and taking action, provides a range of support, from an initial self-assessment on climate readiness and an example Elevator Pitch, to climate projections, examples of risks and potential adaptation actions, and a compilation of resources to support your institution.
An accompanying guide, Using an existing organisational resilience framework to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan, advises the embedding of climate change risk management within your institution's existing risk and business continuity procedures. It gives a seven step process to make your Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP). The advice includes how to run Business Impact Analysis workshops that can evaluate the risks to your operations presented by climate change and how to gauge the necessary actions that would reduce significant risks.
Find case studies of good practice linked at the bottom of this page.
Project Acknowledgements:
EAUC and HEBCoN wish to express their sincere thanks to all members of the Climate Change Adaptation Working Group, each of whom offered insights from their current institution and experiences in the sector to date in addressing the risks presented by climate change:
The EAUC and HEBCoN are also grateful to all the colleges and universities that provided case studies, some of which are included in the Guide with others available linked below.
The EAUC and HEBCoN are delighted that AECOM sponsored the project, which gives us invaluable expertise on climate change adaptation and pro-bono support. Their input has reinforced the value that specialist consultancy teams may have when addressing these such complex issues.
Developing students' energy literacy in Higher Education
Climate Emergency Defined
Individual lifestyle changes to mitigate climate change
Climate change is not only a risk in itself to operational, teaching and research activities, but also a multiplier of many other risks. It is vital that considerations of...
The Benchmarking Tool helps illustrate an organisation’s adaptation journey. It should be used to provide a baseline assessment of your organisation’s current...
This Handbook and Framework from Adaptation Scotland has been developed on the principle that successful adaptation is not simply a case of improving understanding through...
On the 7th of October 2019, EAUC-Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland co-hosted an event on risk & resilience in a changing climate at the Engine...
Using an existing organisational resilience framework to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan is an accompanying guide to Adapting universities and colleges to a...
Adapting universities and colleges to a changing climate: Making the case and taking action is the main guide produced through a collaborative project on climate change...
The University of Edinburgh has released its Adaptation Framework, to fit in with its aim of becoming net zero by 2040. This feeds in to the overall vision that the University...
Communication is fundamental in ensuring University stakeholders understand, support, and act upon, climate change adaptation measures taken by the University. It is therefore...
There is wide recognition that the success of both the University of Edinburgh’s Climate mitigation and adaptation strategy should closely align with the...
This was a Business School group consultancy project for MSc Carbon Finance and MSc Carbon Management students The main research question this study seeks to answer is:...
University of Strathclyde Adaptation Events and Actions
Situated on the east coast of Scotland, the University of St Andrews is tasked with the challenge of both the maintenance of historic buildings and improving the resilience of...
Sometimes the concept of climate change is difficult to reconcile with real life events. It can be hard to imagine the impact that severe weather events and long term climate...
As a public body, the University of Glasgow has a legal duty under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to address the changing climate and take adaptation measures to ensure...
This document covers a summary of the PWC report titled “Managing risk in Higher Education – Higher Education Sector risk profile 2018”. PWC compared 37 higher...
ISO 14001 is the most popular environmental EMS in the world and is commonly found in UK institutions. In can be confusing to work out how to integrate climate change...
This discussion paper aims to foster a conversation about the impacts of climate change, how they might affect our operations and what the University may need to do to manage...
In August 2014, a removable flood barrier was installed to the entrance of Barnes Wallis, on Shakespeare Street (Nottingham) in response to previous flash flooding...
Disaster risk has no borders. Indirect losses from extreme weather events can cripple national economies, kill small businesses, shut down factories and take away jobs....
This climate change risk assessment addresses the risks to ARU resulting from climate and weather events, and their associated health, operational, and financial consequences....
This session will outline some of the work of the group so far and the expected project outputs, giving attendees the opportunity to inform the project working group of what...
In early 2017, Creative Carbon Scotland teamed up with Adaptation Scotland, Aberdeen City Council, Robert Gordon University and four creative practitioners to deliver a min-arts...
Presentation from the 'Moving from Compliance to Leading Change' Summit at the EAUC-Scotland 2017.
The “Toon Monsoon’s” silver lining - Climate change adaptation at Newcastle University Climate change predictions suggest that severe weather events...
AECOM, in partnership with the EAUC, delivered this webinar looking at how higher and further education organisations can integrate their findings from climate change risk...
This webinar, first presented on the 20th July 2016, is the second of two adaptation presentations delivered by Adaptation Scotland. Part one provided an introduction to...
This webinar, first presented on the 13th July 2016, is one of two adaptation presentations delivered by Adaptation Scotland as part of the three-part EAUC-Scotland...