Federal Government report a climate change ‘wake-up call’
This week, the Federal Government released its first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA), which will be used to develop Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target — expected this week.
Australia’s first independent NCRA, 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.
Alongside the comprehensive assessment, the Federal Government released a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) — a vision for a well-adapted Australia with a policy framework to respond to these changes whilst creating jobs and economic growth.
Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen says Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today.
The NCRA is clear — while climate impacts can no longer be avoided, every action taken today towards the goal of net zero by 2050 will help avoid the worst impacts on Australian communities and businesses.
The NCRA finds that no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding and concurrent. It finds the impacts on Australia are extensive, but the worst-case scenario is not the inevitable future.
Taking action to adapt can reduce the social, environmental and economic impacts identified in the risk assessment.
“After a decade of denial and delay, we are acting on climate change — and it’s working,” Minister Bowen said.
“Emissions are coming down, there is record investment in clean energy and we’re working alongside communities to respond and adapt to the impacts.”
The NAP sets out current and future actions in key sectors and principles to guide future action demonstrating that there is already extensive adaptation action underway.
The Federal Government has also committed to working with states, territories and local government to create an action agenda for this plan to give effect to priority actions identified for government at all levels of Australian society.
Federal Climate Change and Energy Assistant Minister Josh Wilson says acting now will minimise the cost of responding that will fall on individuals, households, businesses, industry, community groups and governments alike.
“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.
“The [Federal] 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.”
As part of Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, the Federal Government will be announcing its 2035 emissions reduction target and net zero plan later this week alongside an analysis of how pollution across sectors of the economy, including resources and mining, can be reduced.