A major consultation to ensure Scotland is prepared for the unavoidable impacts of climate change was launched today by the Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson.

The consultation is the first piece of work in building a new Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson said: "While urgent action to reduce emissions is vital, so is action to reduce Scotland's vulnerability to the impact of our already changing climate. Some degree of climate change is unavoidable, as the impacts over the next 30 to 40 years have been determined by our past and present emissions. We cannot prevent these, but we can adapt.

"This Framework will allow us to work successfully with local government, the private and public sectors and individuals to build our resilience and manage risk, to safeguard our communities, and to capitalise on the opportunities climate change brings."

One example of where sectors will have to adapt is in changing weather patterns. Annual snowfall may drop by 50% or more across all of Scotland by the 2080's - assuming a future with medium-high global emissions production - which could impact on agriculture, tourism and emergency planning.

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Mr Stevenson said: "Ultimately, tackling climate change will only be successful if every one of us accepts responsibility and acts sustainably. The Scottish Government is confident that the public sector, businesses and the people of Scotland are ready for the challenge."

Clifton Bain, climate change policy officer for RSPB Scotland welcomed the Scottish Government Framework for adaptation, he said: "We need to act quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so the impacts of climate change stay within levels that we can realistically adapt to. The challenge of adapting to climate change is still enormous. The resistance of the natural environment to the impact of climate change and its ability to be our life support system has already been damaged.

"A robust adaptation Framework is vital if we are to respond sustainably, and build on the good work already started in Scotland to repair the natural environment, making it more resilient and helping people deal with the realities of a changing climate."

Cllr Alison Hay COSLA's Regeneration & Sustainable Development spokesperson said: "COSLA welcomes the introduction of this climate change adaptation consultation.

"The world has finally recognized that climate change is happening and we need to adapt at a local level. Of course we will still make every effort to tackle it, but we recognize that at this point some amount of climate change is inevitable and the Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to minimise the effects on communities.

"COSLA's climate change task group will be looking at this consultation in detail and have already been in discussions with the Scottish Government about the needs of local authorities with regards to climate change adaptation."

(GK/JM)