Assessing the cascading impacts of natural hazards on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) using Scotland as a case study

Abstract

This paper explores the cross-sectoral cascading impacts of extreme weather events on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) to evidence the interconnected vulnerabilities across energy, water, transport and telecommunications. Using Storm Éowyn from 2025, cross-sectoral disruptions and impacts to Scotland’s CNI are explored through a co-designed workshop and survey. The study identifies key dependencies on electricity and telecommunications infrastructure, providing vital evidence to inform future preparedness and investment strategies for climate-resilient CNI.