Shetland's innovative climate change response

While the development of a response strategy at bureaucratic level may seem remote to many, the approach is already leading to positive action. One of the outcomes is the introduction of the Shetland Climate Festival – the second of which took place in early June 2023. The events aim to engage different groups and initiate constructive discussions about the islands’ future.

At the 2023 event, the public were able to meet exhibitors including renewable energy companies, food producers, conservation groups and members of the council’s teams to discover more about the work relating to climate change, energy usage and biodiversity.

It’s all indicative of an enterprising and engaged community that is ready to innovate and act when it comes to tackling climate change.

Shetland will have some large obstacles to overcome on its path to Net Zero as has been seen with the baselining work of the Net Zero Route Maps. This work cannot be undertaken solely by one individual or one organisation. However, the work being done today has the goal of supporting a ‘Just Transition’ to bring along every part of Shetland’s community, businesses and supply chain.

One of the event organisers, Elizabeth Clarke from the Climate Change Strategy Team, said: “Shetland Climate Festival 2023 was about celebrating the positive work being done in Shetland to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

“Shetland’s economy is dependent upon its natural resources of land and water, from fishing and aquaculture to farming and crofting, and including tourism. Each sector will feel the impacts of climate change. They will also face challenges to decarbonise though they are some of the hardest to decarbonise sectors.

“However, Shetland’s strategic location, experienced engineering and supply chain businesses, and huge untapped natural resources mean that the transition to net zero also presents significant opportunities.

“Events like the festival give attendees the opportunity to talk with organisations not only about what they are doing in the realm of sustainability but also the challenges that they are facing to reach net zero.”

In that way, it allows a two-way conversation inspiring individuals to make changes in their life to address climate change while also strengthening the network and community of support for them, helping in areas like reducing energy usage.

Elizabeth adds, “This festival is part of our journey towards building a positive narrative around climate change and the challenges that Shetland faces. This is not the end of the work to be done as it acknowledges the long road ahead to net zero.”

With higher temperatures around the world becoming commonplace and weather patterns beginning to change, the impacts of global climate change will be felt everywhere.

In Shetland, it is predicted the impact will most likely come in the form of:

• more extreme weather events such as storms and high wind speeds,
• more rain particularly over the winter resulting in higher risk of flooding,
• increased sea temperatures and rising sea levels.

While much of the true form of these impacts are still unknown, change is certain.

One of the things that helps us determine impacts are the identification of what are called ‘tipping points’. These are thresholds that we cannot go over if we are to halt the worst climatic damage. One such tipping point is the loss of the Gulf Stream, and this directly affects Shetland.

The Gulf Stream carries warmer winds to Ireland, round the UK and up to Shetland. It is because of the Gulf Stream that our seas can be so rich in nutrients, and that we don’t suffer extreme winters like other places on the same latitude. Evidence suggests the system is weakening and the currents are slowing, meaning the protection we garner from this system could suffer.

• While we may not always get more snow, experts have warned that Shetland could see longer, wetter winters.
• Increasing sea temperatures impact the food systems relied upon by seabirds affecting breeding.
• Wind patterns, linked to broader weather patterns and formations, are changing which could affect the amount of harmful algae in the seas around Shetland, impacting wildlife and human food chains.

The positive news is that Shetland’s forward-thinking approach means that plans are already in place to mitigate climate change and for the islands to have an internationally significant impact generating clean energy.

Discover more about the untapped potential and opportunities for investment in Shetland's burgeoning clean energy sector.