The Commission brings together 15 experts in public health, economics and community engagement to advise ministers and ensure resilience measures reach those who need them most. It will engage directly with workers, rural communities and vulnerable groups to shape costed recommendations for government.

Running until 2031, the Commission will focus on adaptation, reflecting the increasing toll extreme weather is taking on people’s daily lives, while working to ensure the costs and benefits of adaptation measures are shared fairly.

The Commission will also support a just transition to net zero. It will advise on the impact of decarbonisation on jobs and industry, including in Scotland’s offshore energy sector, and work with businesses, unions and communities to help shape a fairer, greener economy.

Minister for business Tom Arthur said: “The invaluable advice that previous commissions have provided have helped shape policy on areas including on Grangemouth and informed the creation of just transition indicators within Scotland’s Climate Change Plan.

“Communities hit hardest by climate change are often the ones least equipped to deal with its effects. This Commission will make sure that the people facing the greatest risks are at the heart of how we build resilience.

“Solutions to adapting to and tackling climate change must be proportionate, appropriate and effective as we work together across all sectors of society to build a greener and fairer economy.”

Co-chair professor Dave Reay said: “Climate change is the biggest risk multiplier for inequality this century. Our role as a Commission is to show how, with a bold and innovative approach, we can still succeed in reducing our emissions and adapting to climate impacts in a way that builds a Scotland that is truly resilient in terms of our society, our economy, and the infrastructure we all rely on.”

Co-chair Satwat Rehman said: “Since 2019 the Just Transition Commission has worked hard to put a strong focus on how different communities are experiencing Scotland’s climate transition, and how we can do better.

“We need to address existing inequalities and proactively tackle the risk of new forms of injustice being created as our climate and our economy are reshaped. We will build on those insights and keep pushing our government to act with the urgency this moment requires.”

Just Transition Commission members

Co-chairs:

• Professor Dave Reay, Emeritus Professor of Carbon Management and Education at the University of Edinburgh
• Satwat Rehman, chief executive, One Parent Families Scotland

Members:

• Chris Birt, associate director, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• Dr Margaret Douglas, consultant in public health medicine, Public Health Scotland
• Richard Hardy, STUC president (Prospect)
• Tessa Khan, executive director, Uplift
• Deborah Long, chief executive, Scottish Environment LINK
• Laurie Macfarlane, co-director, Future Economy Scotland
• Rachel McEwen, former head of sustainability, SSE
• Sarah Moore, CEO, Peterson Logistics
• Dennis Overton, food and drink entrepreneur and chair of Scottish Food Commission
• Hannah Ritchie, author and senior researcher in the Programme for Global Development, University of Oxford
• Nick Robins, senior director, Climate Finance and Private Sector, World Resources Institute
• Stephen Smellie, national executive committee member, UNISON
• Mairi Spowage, director, Fraser of Allander Institute