Public Sector Climate Adaptation Capability Framework Handbook

This handbook is an introduction to climate change adaptation for Scotland’s public sector. It provides an overview of the Climate Adaptation Capability Framework, which identifies four capabilities for a climate ready public sector. This booklet should be used alongside online Supporting Guidance which contains additional information about each task in the Framework.

New for 2025, the Handbook provides an overview of how the updated Public Sector Climate Adaptation Capability Framework can be used by any public sector organisation in Scotland to accelerate action on adaptation. It introduces the Framework, and outlines the four capabilities that an organisation will need to develop to progress adaptation.

Since publication of the first version of the Framework in 2019, more than 60 organisations have used the Framework to build their capabilities and benchmark their progress. We are proud that the Framework won the 2020 IEMA Sustainability Impact Award for Climate Resilience and Adaptation, and has gone on to inspire many similar adaptation capability approaches.

Adapting to climate change is not a standalone challenge – the actions that we take to adapt should deliver many benefits for society including addressing inequalities, supporting sustainable economic growth and nurturing a healthy natural environment. The Framework supports organisations to consider how adaptation support progress against wider societal outcomes and maximise co-benefits.