Climate change, mental health and wellbeing – a review of emerging evidence

The Scottish National Adaptation Plan (2024-2029) sets out actions to build Scotland’s resilience to climate change. It recognises that climate change will have  ranging effects on the health and wellbeing of people in Scotland. This includes mental health and wellbeing. Internationally, both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the World Health Organisation have highlighted the risks climate change presents for population mental health and wellbeing.

This report reviewed the existing international evidence on the impacts of climate change on mental health and wellbeing as well as UK and Scottish evidence where available.

The evidence review drew on peer-reviewed studies, government strategy documents, risk assessments and evaluations of interventions.

Findings

There is an increasing quantity of international evidence indicating that climate change can have substantial effects on mental health and wellbeing.

• These effects are the result of key climate change-related hazards:
  • acute weather events such as floods
  • sub-acute weather events such as longer periods of high temperature
  • chronic climate changes, such as sea-level rise
• Each hazard can lead to negative mental health outcomes through direct pathways, such as injury or property loss, and indirect pathways, on livelihoods and social networks. There is also increasing evidence that awareness of climate change can affect mental health and wellbeing.
• Internationally, the reported mental health and wellbeing effects of climate change can include heightened risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide, depression, anxiety and overall poorer mental wellbeing. This varies in type and severity depending on the nature of the hazards.
• Climate change amplifies existing mental health risks, which can affect already vulnerable groups more. It presents particular challenges for coastal and island communities, and workers in agriculture and fisheries.
• Early evidence indicates that distress about climate change in Scotland is widespread. As many as 70 percent of people in Scotland worry about climate change, with 25 percent reporting it affects their mental wellbeing.

The report suggests that policy responses should consider reducing exposure and vulnerability to hazards through adaptation and mitigation; increasing access to resources and support to recover from climate related hazards; and targeted support for the most vulnerable groups.

For further details, please read the report.

If you require the report in an alternative format, such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.

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