Climate Action

As one of the critical geographical issues we face today, climate change is a major area of work for us, and one that benefits significantly from our solutions-focused approach of cross-sectoral working and coordination.

Climate Solutions

We are currently working on the delivery and further development of a project to improve the 'climate literacy' of managers in the public, private, academic and voluntary sectors. Climate Solutions aims to tap into the huge potential for organisations and individuals to support national and international efforts to combat climate change.

Climate Emergency Summits

Our Climate Emergency Summits provide space for motivated people from across sectors to come together in a safe and open workshop environment to offer solutions to the climate emergency. Since late 2019, we have held several summits focusing on particular issues and generating hundreds of ideas. A report is published after each event, and submitted to government to help inform policy.

Five for the Future

Developed through the Climate Emergency Summit programme, Five for the Future encourages all organisations to ask the same five questions at the end of each event they run ahead of COP26. Five for the Future will help generate a set of common answers, which in turn will help to shape an organisation- and society-wide set of key concerns.

International Geographical Societies Gathering

In June 2021, representatives of the international geographical community gathered online to discuss our collective and respective responses to the climate emergency, our efforts to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and our potential to make a real difference in the decades ahead. A report records the discussions and findings of this gathering of the world’s geographical societies, hosted by the RSGS in collaboration with the International Geographical Union and the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). It concludes with a joint declaration of action which asks all of our societies to pledge to redouble our efforts to apply our unique knowledge, skills, and networks as geographers to these great global challenges of our time.

Read the Report

Bitesize

In 2014-16 we developed a project to assess ways in which Scotland could make the biggest difference to reducing global climate emissions, through expertise, innovation or example. Several areas of our current policy work stem directly from this project.

Climate Change Videos

As a key geographical issue, climate change regularly features in our public talks, some of which have been recorded, and we have made some short videos in support of Climate Solutions programme.

View Videos

Climate Change Blogs

Many of the articles featured on our blog address different aspects of climate change.

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Latest

Geographers Unite Globally for Climate Action

Yesterday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a joint declaration of Global Geographical Societies, in which they pledge to redouble efforts to help deliver a better tomorrow, endorse the need for action on the climate and biodiversity crises, and call for world leaders to place the protection of nature and a liveable climate at the centre of the world’s economics and politics.
The Geographer: COP26 Special Edition

A special edition of The Geographer, focusing on Scotland's climate journey and on a host of potential and innovative solutions to the climate crisis. Read it here.
Young Geographer: Climate Justice Edition

The third edition of the RSGS's Young Geographer magazine focused on climate justice. Read it here.
Scotland: Our Climate Journey

A new documentary film exploring Scotland's progress in tackling climate change, through bold legislation and some of the world's most stringent targets, including a commitment to net zero by 2045.