About the MAP
In north-eastern Scotland, United Kingdom, the James Hutton Institute coordinates the Multi-Actor Platform Dee Catchment Partnership. The platform has a local focus covering the catchment of the River Dee.
This area is defined by a biophysical unit and does not correspond to any socio-economic geographical units. The Dee catchment area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Birds and Habitats Directive of the European Commission. Furthermore, it is the source of drinking water for Aberdeen, the habitat of Atlantic salmon, and other species of high ecological significance, and has an international reputation for its cultural heritage.
The area faces challenges relating to extreme events and flood risk, socio-economic and environmental impacts of the expansion of the City of Aberdeen, and loss of biodiversity. Further challenges relate to access to high-speed internet connectivity, gaps in the provision of public services and aging population. The platform focuses on reviewing the most important influences on the management of the area, implementing natural flood management, and supporting responsible access to land and tourism. This will contribute to the aim of the Dee Catchment Partnership to protect, enhance and restore the natural processes that maintain the health of the river system.
The MAP, together with the Dee Catchment Partnership, aims to gain the multiple benefits of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases from degraded peatlands, transforming areas into sinks for carbon. Over the longer term, peatland restoration contributes to the overall aim of the Scottish Government of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Objectives
The activities of this MAP are being designed to achieve specific objectives which will be developed with the Partnership team, and at the kick-off workshop. Principal topics are expected to be:
- MAP objective 1: Review trends and propose priorities that could influence the management of the catchment.
- MAP objective 2: Natural flood management, including sustainable drainage and blue-green infrastructure that contribute multiple benefits (e.g. peatland restoration).
- MAP objective 3: Identify and recommend how civil society and business can contribute to tackling the climate emergency through just transitions to mitigating and adapting to climate change together with no net loss of biodiversity.
- MAP objective 4: Responsible access and recreation.
Composition
NGOs, farmer organisations, research institutions, local and regional government.