More than 20 key organisations have formally joined forces in a significant agreement aimed at safeguarding Scotland’s critical infrastructure against the growing impacts of weather and climate change.
The ‘Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum’, initially co-founded by Network Rail, Scottish Water, and SP Energy Networks, saw its membership formalised on Wednesday, 7th May 2025. The group signed a historic memorandum of understanding, committing to closer collaboration to build resilience against the increasing challenges posed by climate change to Scotland’s vital infrastructure.
This united front comes in response to a sustained and noticeable shift in the nation’s climate. Temperatures are on the rise, rainfall patterns have altered, and extreme weather events are occurring with greater frequency. Projections indicate that these changes will persist and intensify in the years ahead, bringing hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters.
Climate data confirms that Scotland’s ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 1997, with 2022 being the hottest. The country is experiencing an average of 10% more rainfall compared to the period between the 1960s and 1990s, with winters being 29% wetter. The rate of sea level rise has also accelerated over the past 30 years, increasing by approximately 18.5cm since the beginning of the 20th century.
These changes pose a significant risk to Scotland’s infrastructure. More frequent and severe flooding, for instance, can overwhelm drainage systems, damage roads, railways, and bridges, and compromise the structural integrity of buildings. This can lead to disruptions in the essential infrastructure services that everyone relies on.
Ensuring the resilience of infrastructure is therefore paramount. Membership of the Forum is open to all infrastructure operators and owners, both public and private, across Scotland. Current members include Transport Scotland, Network Rail, Scottish Water, Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Canals, and Sustrans.
Crucially, strong connections are also being established with a wider range of organisations whose support will be vital. These additional members include the Met Office, regional transport partnerships, and Scotland’s academic institutions.
Collectively, the Forum will facilitate the sharing of best practices and advice on conducting climate risk assessments. Members will work to better understand the climate-related interdependencies between infrastructure systems in Scotland, share crucial data and insights for ‘climate ready’ decision-making, and deliver interventions aligned with the Scottish Government’s National Adaptation Plan. The Forum also has a long-term objective of co-developing practical adaptation interventions in areas facing shared climate risks.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The challenge posed by climate change to our transport network is growing, with the threat of serious flooding and severe winds now an issue throughout the year. The impacts can range from landslides and damage to our roads and bridges, to causing challenging driving conditions for motorists on a more regular basis.
“The road and rail networks are vital parts of infrastructure that help keep Scotland moving, so it’s essential that we use all the tools and knowledge available to us to safeguard them as best we can in the face of our changing climate.
“I very much welcome the efforts of all the organisations who’ve signed up to this agreement to help protect Scotland’s vital infrastructure network.”
David Harkin, Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Manager for Network Rail Scotland, added: “The services provided by the organisations joining this partnership form the backbone of our daily lives in Scotland, and we share many of the same challenges that the changing climate brings. That is why organising into coordinated action is an important step forward.
“The significance of this opportunity is reflected in the number of organisations formally backing the Forum, which is incredibly encouraging. A united front is essential for driving the systemic changes needed to protect our infrastructure for the future. Together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone.”
Mark Williams, Head of Sustainability for Scottish Water, said: “Delivering effective climate change adaptation for Scotland’s communities demands effective partnership working. We rely on a range of infrastructure – power, transport, communications and land – to deliver our services.
“It is important we have a shared view of the risks posed by future climates, explain what this means to customers, what we are doing about it, and where we can work together across our organisations to deliver cost-effective adaptation and support resilient services for Scotland.”
Eddie Mulholland, head of process and technology at SP Energy Networks, stated: “Resilient infrastructure is essential to every aspect of our lives – from ensuring reliable access to clean water and energy, to protecting our homes and businesses from the impacts of climate change.
“At SP Energy Networks we recognise that we have a vital role to play ensuring homes, businesses and public services across our service territory continue to have safe and reliable power.
“We look forward to working with the Government and members of the Climate Ready Infrastructure Forum as we drive the energy transition and enable our customers, the economy, and the planet to thrive.”
