Last week, we attended “The Elephant in Bin!,” a knowledge-sharing event focused on reducing food waste and increasing business profits in the Cairngorms. The event was co-hosted by <a href="https://www.cairngormschamber.com/">Cairngorms Business Partnership</a>,<a href="https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/">&nbsp;Zero Waste Scotland</a>,<a href="https://highlandgoodfood.scot/">&nbsp;Highland Good Food Partnership</a>, and<a href="https://cairngorms.co.uk/">&nbsp;Cairngorms National Park Authority</a> at the<a href="https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/aviemore/stay/our-hotels/aviemore-hotel">&nbsp;Macdonald Aviemore Resort</a>, featuring<a href="https://garymacchef.com/">&nbsp;Chef Gary Maclean</a>. The event highlighted the need to reduce food waste within the Highland region to reduce our environmental impact and achieve net zero carbon emissions. Reducing food waste is also important to the work that we focus on at Highland Adapts: building resilience to current and future climate impacts. How can minimising food waste increase climate resilience in the Highlands? Keep reading to find out…BackgroundClimate change and nature loss threaten food production and distribution in the Highlands and, as a result, the region’s overall food security. Food security is defined as when “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life” (<a href="https://www.fao.org/3/w3548e/w3548e00.htm">World Food Summit, 1996</a>). Simply put, climate change threatens food security by changing both agriculture and trade conditions (<a href="https://www.fao.org/3/i5188e/I5188E.pdf">FAO, 2015</a>). This is true in Highland and across the globe. For example, changes to agriculture conditions include:<ul><li>Change in rainfall and water availability</li><li>Increased frequencies of droughts, storms, floods, wildfires, sea level rise</li><li>Disruption of pollinator ecosystem services</li><li>Temperature, precipitation, and other effects on transportation and processing</li><li>Decreased livestock and crop resilience to diseases</li></ul>… to name just a few (<a href="https://www.fao.org/3/i5188e/I5188E.pdf">FAO, 2021</a>).Combatting food insecurity requires two different kinds of action: mitigation and adaptation. In this context, mitigation refers to the actions we need to take to limit climate change and support the natural environment. Greatly expanded efforts to respond to climate change are needed immediately to safeguard the capacity of food systems in the future. You can learn more about our food system’s environmental impacts and sustainable food practices&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/agri-climate-report-2023/agri-climate-report-2023#:~:text=Section%201.-,UK%20agriculture%20estimated%20GHG%20emissions,all%20methane%20emissions%20in%202021.">here</a>.However, the climate has already changed and we are “locked in” to additional changes in the future, no matter how quickly we reduce our emissions and other environmental impacts (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-ii/">IPCC, 2022</a>). That is why we need to adapt our food system to build greater resilience. Among other things, the resilience of Highland’s food system hinges on efficient resource management and sustainable practices.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-1.png" alt="" title="Image 1" srcset="https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-1.png 2000w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-1-1280x256.png 1280w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-1-980x196.png 980w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-1-480x96.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2000px, 100vw" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Food Waste &amp; ResilienceA resilient food system can provide sufficient, appropriate, and accessible food to everyone, in the face of various disturbances (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211912415300031">Tendall et al., 2015</a>). Food waste undermines long-term resilience by reducing the quantity of available nutrition and squandering economic resources needed to withstand shocks and external pressures from climate impacts (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32834962/">Bajzeli et al., 2020</a>).<blockquote>“Food loss and waste undermine the sustainability of our food systems. When food is lost or wasted, all the resources that were used to produce this food – including water, land, energy, labour and capital – go to waste. In addition, the disposal of food loss and waste in landfills, leads to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. Food loss and waste can also negatively impact food security and food availability, and contribute to increasing the cost of food.” (<a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day">UN, 2023</a>).</blockquote>Market shocks and extreme weather impacts can disrupt food availability, particularly in remote regions. Reducing food waste contributes to the conservation of natural resources, such as water and land, which are essential for agricultural productivity. By minimizing food waste, communities can stretch their resources further, mitigating the effects of these disruptions and ensuring a more stable food supply.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-2.png" alt="" title="Image 2" srcset="https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-2.png 1625w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-2-1280x256.png 1280w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-2-980x196.png 980w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-2-480x96.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1625px, 100vw" class="fr-fic fr-dii">How are we doing?Globally, nationally, and regionally, there is a lot more that we need do to limit food waste and reap the many benefits of a resource-efficient food system.<ul><li>26% of the waste in Highland household refuse bins is food waste that could have been eaten or composted (<a href="https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/highland-community-waste-partnership/food-waste/">HCWP, n.d.</a>)</li><li>Almost one million tonnes of food and drink is thrown away every year in Scotland (<a href="https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-delivering-scotlands-circular-economy-route-map-2025-beyond/pages/7/">Scottish Government, 2022</a>)</li><li>Food waste costs Scottish households an average of £440 per year (<a href="https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-delivering-scotlands-circular-economy-route-map-2025-beyond/pages/7/">Scottish Government, 2022</a>)</li><li>Food waste is responsible for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions (<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions#article-citation">Our World in Data, 2020</a>)</li></ul>Community-driven efforts, supported by businesses and policymakers, are vital for promoting sustainable food practices and reducing waste. From educating consumers to implementing food recovery programs, people in the Highlands are fostering a culture of efficiency within our food system, strengthening our adaptive capacity in the face of climate change. While not a singular solution, reducing food waste plays a crucial role in building a more resilient and sustainable future for Highland communities.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-3.png" alt="" title="Image 3" srcset="https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-3.png 1875w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-3-1280x256.png 1280w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-3-980x196.png 980w, https://highlandadapts.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-3-480x96.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1875px, 100vw" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Resources for YouWhether you are a crofter, farmer, chef, or home cook, there are Highland-specific resources available to help you reduce food waste and maximise all of the strengths of Highland’s food system. Now sure where to start? <ul><li>Check out the<a href="https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/highland-community-waste-partnership/">&nbsp;Highland Community Waste Partnership</a> to learn about Highland-based waste initiatives, including work being done to<a href="https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/highland-community-waste-partnership/food-waste/working-with-communities/">&nbsp;increase food waste recycling</a></li><li>Check out<a href="https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/one-month-challenge">&nbsp;Zero Waste Scotland’s One Month Challenge</a>, which will help you measure your business’s food waste and develop an action plan to reduce your waste</li><li>Explore what the<a href="https://highlandgoodfood.scot/">&nbsp;Highland Good Food Partnership</a> is doing to create a more fair and sustainable food system in Highland</li><li>Visit the<a href="https://highlandcompost.scot/">&nbsp;Highland Community Composing Resource</a> to learn about how to start or further develop community composting projects in your Highland community</li><li>Visit<a href="https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/">&nbsp;lovefoodhatewaste.com</a> to discover hacks, tips, and guidance to make the most of your food at home</li><li>Familiarise yourself with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/scotlands-draft-circular-economy-and-waste-route-map-webinar-recording">Scotland’s draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map</a></li><li>Learn about the&nbsp;<a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmenvfru/429/42905.htm">food waste hierarchy</a>, which outlines how you should prioritise food and drink material waste prevention, recycling, recovery, and disposal</li><li>Keep an eye out for&nbsp;<a href="https://highlandadapts.scot/">Highland Adapts</a>’&nbsp;upcoming Highland Climate Risk and Opportunity Assessment, which includes a deep-dive into economic risks to whiskey and salmon industries in Highland with a circular economy lens.</li><li>Take advantage of events like those run by organisations like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cairngormschamber.com/">Cairngorms Business Partnership</a>,<a href="https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/">&nbsp;Zero Waste Scotland</a>, and the<a href="https://highlandgoodfood.scot/">&nbsp;Highland Good Food Partnership</a> which are tailored specifically to your industry, lifestyle, and needs.</li></ul>&nbsp;

Minimising Food Waste to Increase Climate Resilience Across the Highlands

The global climate is changing, and the rate of change is increasing. Over the last century, global average temperatures have increased, sea levels have risen, and weather patterns have changed. Even with current climate change mitigation measures, we will still see an increase in this trend, with more extreme weather events predicted over the coming years. While efforts to reduce the effects of climate change continue, we will also need to adapt to the new climatic conditions that will occur. Climate change adaptation is the process of responding to the changing climate to lessen the impacts of climate hazards on people, infrastructure, and the landscape. This could be as simple as putting up an awning for extra shade, or as complicated as installing flood defences to prevent flooding. When you think about adaptation measures, the first things that come to mind are probably manmade structures like storm drains or air conditioning. However natural ecosystems also have an important role to play in climate change adaptation, with the potential to provide a host of benefits that engineered solutions cannot, including increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Natural ecosystems’ role in climate adaptation in the Scottish Highlands: Machair Here at Highland Adapts, we spoke to the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers about the important work they are doing to restore machair habitats on the west coast of Scotland. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1706704332/projects/highlandadapts/4b7b9221-9a11-41f4-ab49-8ef2aab2cef3.jpg" /> Photo: High Life Highland Countryside Rangers coordinate volunteer efforts to restore machair and flood defences Machair is a Gaelic word meaning ‘fertile plain’, it refers to unique coastal landscapes that are found only along the west coast of Scotland and Ireland. Species-rich machair wildflower meadows develop where low-lying Atlantic coast, Atlantic weather, and sustainable crofting culture coincide. Over millennia traditional, low-impact crofting practices along the coast have assisted the formation of richly patterned habitats where an abundance of wildflowers attracts rare insects and birds. Most machair systems are fronted by sand dunes. The dunes play an important role in protecting the fragile machair meadows, and areas further inland from coastal flooding, gales and from sea level rise. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1706704210/projects/highlandadapts/ee5a20f4-b2b9-46f3-8044-8c68f1e7f28d.jpg" /> Photo: Machair at Gallanach on the Isle of Coll (Argyll and Bute). Photo credit: NatureScot The Ranger Service has been supporting the health of machair habitats at Clachtoll and Achmelvich beaches for over twenty years, coordinating with local communities and volunteers to safeguard these precious areas. They are important habitats for many species of wildlife, including great yellow bumblebees, waxcap mushrooms and orchids. To help preserve the machair, marram grass has been planted on dunes at the back of the beach. The Ranger Service works with volunteers to plant the marram grass, and with local crofters to graze the site at the right time of year. The grass has established well over the years, where it grows it stabilises the dunes and prevents sand from blowing off the beach and into the road and people’s houses. Marram has also been planted further inland to halt erosion of the machair. Andy Summers, Senior Countryside Ranger for North Highlands told us that: ‘Work continues transplanting Machir grass to Clachtoll seafront. Scarce species live in machair, which benefits from managing the area to promote high biodiversity. The variety of plants encourage a variety of invertebrates, which encourage birds to the machair to feed and breed. The machair also helps to stabilise the sand-dunes. Sand dunes play a huge role in coastal protection. Dunes shelter inland habitats from coastal flooding and from the worst of the winds during storms.’ Shifting landscapes like these play a huge role in attenuating the full force of coastal weather. By working together to save this unique environment local crofters, volunteers, and the Highland Rangers have ensured the longevity of the beach, and protected habitats and populations further inland from coastal flooding and gales – which are happening with increasing regularity. Machair meadows are also richly biodiverse areas, saving them not only provides climate adaptation benefits but also preserves an important habitat for wildflowers, birds, insects and for people to enjoy. And finally, the role of traditional crofting in ensuring the health of the machair is a reminder that it is possible for human and natural interests to align in a way that benefits all. .... About the Author: Alice Tirbooman recently joined Changeworks as a graduate trainee and is also involved with Highlands Adapts. She blends a unique academic background with practical climate action. Alice is passionate about simplifying complex ideas, especially in the realm of climate adaptation in the Highland region. She’s excited to merge her distinct academic interests in Physics and English to make a real-world impact. .... This article is shared in partnership with the High Life Highland Countryside Ranger Services&#39; Nature Unveiled Blog. The High Life Highland Countryside Rangers is one of the services the Highland Council is considering stopping in order to close the budget gap. Fill out the council’s efficiency survey to have your say about what services should be prioritised in the future: <a href="https://engagehighland.co.uk/budget-engagement/surveys/being-more-efficienthttps://lnkd.in/ddxuvYxj">https://engagehighland.co.uk/budget-engagement/surveys/being-more-efficienthttps://lnkd.in/ddxuvYxj</a>

Machair Habitats & The Role of Natural Ecosystems in Climate Change Adaptation

2023 was a year of great progress and change for Highland Adapts. In 2023, we focused on developing a strong knowledge and evidence base, facilitating information sharing, and supporting communities, businesses, and the public sector to embed climate change adaptation throughout their activities. In 2024, we will focus on identifying opportunities to reduce and overcome these climate risks, developing shared adaptation strategies, and supporting others to use plans to form the basis of projects and activities across the region. Many exciting developments are coming from Highland Adapts this year, including opportunities to collaborate on the Highland Climate Risk and Opportunity Assessment before it is published this year, relaunching our Community Climate Advocates group, and engagement with communities across our region. We remain deeply committed to supporting the transformational changes needed for a prosperous, climate-ready Highland region. Still, we begin the year with a sobering reminder of the challenge ahead of us. New research published by the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen at the end of December found that Scotland’s climate has changed and is continuing to change faster than previously predicted. In 2023, Scotland experienced its hottest June on record while July was the world’s hottest month on record, ever. Daily global sea surface temperatures broke records at the beginning of August, Arctic sea ice continues to decline, and Antarctic sea ice coverage reached record-low levels. According to Dr Mike Rivington, who led this new research from The James Hutton Institute, &quot;There has never been a more important time to understand the scale of the threat and how fast we need to act. The acceleration of climate change and biodiversity loss on a global scale could push us beyond key tipping points, which if crossed will be irreversible. The fact that we have already experienced some of the projected changes in Scotland’s climate suggests that climate change is happening faster. This will have global impacts, affecting trade and undermining the stability of economies at same time reducing our own capacity to adapt, for example, homegrown food and the water and energy and nature based services we get from today’s ecosystems.” In the face of severe challenges and stark realities such as these, we must use this information as power to propel us forward in our shared efforts to mitigate our impacts on the climate and build future resilience. As we embark on this work in 2024, Highland Adapts remains guided by a set of core principles that define our approach: <li>Transformational Action - through brave leadership, we embed hope and prioritise action.</li><li>Collaboration - we facilitate working together and the sharing of knowledge, expertise and resources.</li><li>Place-based - we are place-centred, with an approach that is bottom-up and fully inclusive.</li><li>Evidence-based - all our action is supported by up-to-date qualitative and quantitative data.</li><li>Sustainable - we only endorse robust, resilient and future-proof actions using the blueprint of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a flourishing, climate-ready future for all.</li><li>Influence - we use our presence and connections to support cultural change</li><li>Climate and social justice - our work is rooted in a deep understanding of the needs and priorities of communities.</li><li>Build capacity - through education, knowledge sharing and facilitating connections we increase confidence and the ability to adapt in others</li><li>Celebrate - we communicate and promote ongoing inspiring climate action and initiatives.</li><li>Empower - we enable communities/places to increase control over their ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change.</li> The Highland Weather &amp;amp; Climate Story Map remains open to new submissions and we hope you will continue to contribute new stories and experiences during the coming year. We look forward to navigating 2024 with you, turning challenges into opportunities, and supporting your work to build resilience for the years ahead. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1704718803/projects/highlandadapts/83c95ca9-86d5-4abe-950d-ce082489bac9.png" />

Reflections and Plans for the New Year

Share your stories of weather and climate in the Highlands and help us develop a strong climate risk and opportunity assessment to address the climate emergency in the region. Every story counts.
