Cascading, compounding and concurrent: National Climate Risk Assessment shows why climate action is so important

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Assistant Minister for Emergency Management

The Hon Kate Thwaites MP, Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

The Albanese Labor Government is today releasing the nation’s first comprehensive assessment of the risks posed by climate change across Australia – along with a plan for how we can adapt to its impacts by cutting emissions whilst creating jobs and economic growth. 

The National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) finds that no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding and concurrent.

Since 2022 Australia has made important progress when it comes to cutting emissions and acting on climate change. Today the National Climate Risk Assessment is clear: while we can no longer avoid climate impacts, every action we take today towards our goal of net zero by 2050 will help avoid the worst impacts on Australian communities and businesses.

Australia’s first independent National Climate Risk Assessment created by the Australian Climate Service compiles data and analysis from world-leading experts and scientists from the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Geoscience Australia. It is being released today in full, together with the supporting technical analysis.

The Assessment confirms Australians will continue to experience climate hazards – like floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires – more frequently, more severely, and often at the same time. It shows northern Australia, remote communities and outer suburbs are particularly susceptible, which will place a strain on health and wellbeing, emergency services, critical infrastructure and primary industries. Australia’s underlying natural ecosystems and biodiversity will also come under significant challenges.

Developed to guide Australia in response to the risk assessment's findings, the Government has also released Australia's first National Adaptation Plan. It outlines the extensive adaptation action already underway, including Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and hundreds of infrastructure, emergency management and disaster resilience projects already funded through the Government’s $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund.

Since being elected the Albanese Government has directed $3.6 billion into climate adaptation and resilience programs, but more broadly we increasingly see climate change responses factor across a range of Government spending decisions, with roughly about $9 billion in funded programs indirectly touching on climate change resilience and adaptation efforts with the dual aim of creating jobs and economic growth.

Research tells us that every $1 invested in climate adaptation today can create a return of $10 on investment in the future – and the National Adaptation Plan sets out a framework for governments, communities and industry to better coordinate action and deliver more resilient communities.

The Albanese Government will work with states, territories and local government towards implementing an adaptation action agenda – to give effect to the task set out in the National Adaptation Plan.

Developed in consultation with Ministers with responsibility for climate and emergency management at Commonwealth and state and territory level, it will build on existing work of governments, so we can all collectively and collaboratively respond to the unavoidable impacts of climate change in our respective jurisdictions, in the interest of all Australians.

Unlike the Coalition who continue to debate whether climate change is real and worth acting on, the Albanese Government is listening to the scientific evidence and working with communities already living with the impacts of climate change.

We will soon announce the next step in our plan to bring down emissions and seize the global jobs and economic opportunity before us. We will also set an ambitious and achievable 2035 target, informed by advice from the independent Climate Change Authority.

The National Climate Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Plan are now available online.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen: 

“Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today but it’s clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come.

“After a decade of denial and delay, we are acting on climate change – and it’s working. Emissions are coming down, there is record investment in clean energy and we’re working alongside communities to respond and adapt to the impacts.

“Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment and our National Adaptation Plan are a roadmap to address the unavoidable impacts of climate change, to build a more resilient country for all communities, regions and industries.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson:

“Equipped with the most comprehensive and detailed understanding of the climate risks we face, Australia will be in a stronger position than ever before to plan and deliver appropriate responses.

“Acting now will minimise the cost of responding that will fall on individuals, households, businesses, industry, community groups, and governments alike.

“The Albanese Government is already undertaking considerable adaptation work, but we know there is more to be done to respond and adapt to climate change impacts, and to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Kate Thwaites:

“Australians know that the effects of climate change are already impacting their homes, businesses and way of life.

“While we can no longer avoid climate change altogether, every action we take towards our goal of Net Zero emissions by 2050 will help to protect Australians.

“Our Government will keep working to bring emissions down, while helping Australian households, businesses and communities adapt to a changing climate.”