By Ria Dunkley

The Dynamic Coast project (2015-17 and 2018 - 2021) was commissioned to support the Scottish Government and to provide a national evidence base on the extent and rate of coastal erosion in Scotland, taking into account the latest climate change predictions for sea level rise. The work highlighted the areas at highest risk of coastal erosion to allow targeted responses by national and local government to address future risk and provided key strategic recommendations for Scottish Government.  

The project established the current extent of coastal erosion, and used modelling to predict future erosion, associated flooding, and the likely impact on housing, transport networks and other key infrastructure under different scenarios – for example whether or not greenhouse gas emissions are cut to certain levels, and whether or not action is taken to maintain erosion and flood defences. Because of the delayed effect of emission reduction on sea level, the modelling made clear that regardless of future trends in emissions, we should expect increases sea level:

“Whilst it is critical that we mitigate climate change by reducing emissions, we also need to adapt to the sea level changes that are already under way by altering our approach to coastal planning and land-use”. 

The project also included an innovative workstream to establish social vulnerability to coastal erosion across Scotland, using census data and erosion risk data within a Geographical Information System. Using additional funding from UKRI the team was also able to do pioneering work on adapting the dynamic coast method to consider urban coastal erosion risks and successfully worked closely with the City of Edinburgh to shape the EdinAdapts Adaptation plan (2016), the statutory CityPlan for 2030 and assist with evidence to support the climate resilient Granton Waterfront Development Framework.  

You can read the full research summary - including key findings, methodological approaches to the core research questions, and recommendations for action - here on the CREW website. 

   

See the full project resources at www.dynamiccoast.com.

Project Funders:  

The National Overview report summarises the project and additional reports can be found on the reports page of the Dynamic Coast website

 

First published: 29 August 2022

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