Calls for tougher action on heritage

Conservation organisations have united to call for tougher climate action to stop further damage to Scotland’s natural and built heritage.

WWF Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and RSPB Scotland warned animals, plants and even buildings are under attack as a result of global warming - from severe weather to sea level rises and acidification.

They want the Scottish Government’s forthcoming Climate Change Bill to be “world leading” to help combat the decline.

Dr Sam Gardner, of WWF Scotland, said: “We need to make sure our heritage is as resilient as possible but the most important thing we can do is radically cut our emissions as part of a global effort.”

The National Trust for Scotland said wetter summers and milder winters were increasing the saturation of historic properties from rainfall and groundwater, driving up conservation costs. And RSPB Scotland described climate change as “an insidious pressure on Scotland’s beleaguered seabirds”.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it was committed to tackling the effects of climate change and that it had increased investment.