CLIMATE change could impact on the quality of Scottish shellfish and lead to a reduction in water supplies, a report has revealed.
Findings from the UK Government's Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) show that changes to the water temperature in seas around Scotland could lead to poorer shellfish and shifts in the location of fish stocks.
Drier summers may also reduce water availability, affecting both the natural environment and public water supplies, while there will also be a greater risk of flooding – both coastal and inland.
However, the CCRA – the first independent assessment of the impacts of climate change on the UK – reveals that warmer conditions may lead to increased yield in crops and forestry.
The Scottish Government welcomed the report and claimed it supported its Climate Change Adaptation Programme.
Stewart Stevenson, Environment and Climate Change Minister, said of the assessment: "It will contribute to the development of Scotland's first Adaptation Programme, building a stronger, more resilient Scotland in the future."
The £2.8 million project highlights 100 threats the UK could face from global warming if no action is taken.
A spokesman for Scottish Environment Link added: "It will be essential for the Scottish Government to fully consider these threats as it develops actions to increase Scotland's resilience."
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