National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 2021 – 2025

1. State of the Climate, Bureau of Meteorology and The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, 2020​

2. Sixth Assessment Report, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021 National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 9 Adaptation is needed to reduce and avoid economic costs Climate impacts are imposing economic costs that To take just one sector as an example, higher are projected to increase with global warming. temperatures and changes in seasonal rainfall In 2021, Deloitte Access Economics, reporting to patterns are affecting the profitability of Australian the Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster farms. Analysis by the Australian Bureau of Resilience and Safer Communities, found that Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences disasters currently cost the Australian economy (ABARES) found changes in seasonal conditions around $38 billion per year. Assuming current have reduced annual average farm profits by 23% development patterns and population growth or around $29,200 per farm over the past 20 years, continue, this is forecast to reach at least $73 with larger reductions projected to 2050 in the billion per year by 2060, even with ambitious absence of adaptation. These impacts have been global action to reduce emissions. Effective early most pronounced in south-western and south- action to adapt can reduce or avoid some of these eastern Australia. These same climate conditions costs, and the impacts to affected communities. have also made farm incomes more variable and doubled the risk of years with very low farm returns.3 Photo: Dry wetland of Kings Billabong at Bottle Bend on the Murray River, Nyeri Nyeri Country, New South Wales © Arthur Mostead

3. Special report: Update to the economic costs of natural disasters in Australia, Deloitte, 2021 National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 10 Adaptation is cross-sectoral Adaptation involves a range of broad, cross- Climate change will impact each domain sectoral challenges. An effective national differently. It is important to recognise that within adaptation response requires coordinated action the four domains are individuals, businesses, across the natural, built, social and economic communities, organisations and governments, all domains. The Strategy uses these four domains facing unique challenges and barriers. To respond as outlined in the diagram below to frame the to these challenges we need to work together on approach to coordinated adaptation. tailored, co-designed solutions. There are many interdependencies and As the 2021 Australian Government relationships between the domains and the climate Intergenerational Report notes, innovation and risks each face, with some risks crossing over investment in climate-resilient development can into multiple domains to affect whole systems, significantly increase the adaptive capacity of our including the strength of the economy, national regions, towns and cities. security, the resilience of our society and operation of natural systems. Four Connected Domains Natural Social Agriculture Health and People, their The landscapes, Wellbeing Ecosystems communities, their seascapes, culture, institutions, ecosystems, Families and Coasts Community support systems and agricultural lands, Heritage Social Welfare their interactions. and diverse plant Services and animal life Water Resources within Australia and Emergency its ocean territory. Land Services Coordinated Adaptation Economic Built Cities and Insurance Towns The production and Institutions Human-made consumption of Utility Networks surroundings, goods. Productivity, Private Sector structures and financial systems, Roads any supporting and the economy. Financial infrastructure created Institutions Buildings and using material, spatial other Structures and human resources Public Sector to facilitate life, health, Transport work and play. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 11 Examples of adaptation Some adaptation solutions require coordinated • Constructing artificial wetlands to provide effort and investment from governments, nutrient, pollutant and sediment capture, businesses, research institutions, and communities. reduce stormwater flow during flooding A selection of practical examples of adaptation events and enhance biodiversity. include: • Restoring seagrasses, mangroves and tidal • Constructing and retrofitting buildings to wetlands (blue carbon) to protect coastal withstand increased air temperatures, infrastructure from storm surges, and heatwaves and natural hazard events. maintain the productivity of fisheries and marine industries. • Building roads and transport infrastructure to withstand heat or account for likely sea level • Creating partnerships to address larger and flooding changes. systemic challenges to community wellbeing and economic prosperity, such as effective • Ensuring that climate change projections investments in resilient housing to offset more are reflected in the design, location and frequent and severe climate-related natural investment decisions of long-life assets such as disasters and the flow on effects to insurability hospitals, factories, schools and other critical and insurance affordability. infrastructure. • Integrating the planting of trees, water retention measures and resilient urban design to reduce the impact of increasing heat in cities. Photo: Aerial view of coastline and seagrass of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Gutharraguda ‘two waters’, Western Australia © Nick Rains National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 12 Building on Strong Foundations Australians have a long history of adaptation Our national commitment to adaptation is and responding to our highly variable climate. also reflected in our commitment to the Paris Successive Australian Governments have been Agreement. Climate adaptation is a core pillar of the committed to national action on adaptation and Paris Agreement and all Parties to the Agreement understood that further action is required as the have agreed to the global goal of enhancing climate will continue to change and impact on adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and communities, environments and industries. reducing vulnerability to climate change. Australia continues to provide partnership and support to strengthen adaptive capacity in our region. Guiding principles The 2015 National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy included guiding principles for adaptation, which also underpin this Strategy and continue to guide national action. Shared responsibility Governments at all levels, businesses, communities and individuals all have important roles to play. Factor climate risks into Consider the current climate and future change in all our decisions decisions. Evidence-based, risk Apply the best available science. management approach Assist the vulnerable Support those who are vulnerable to climate-related impacts. Collaborative, values-based Respect the knowledge and experience of those affected choices and involve them in decision-making. Revisit decisions and Review actions regularly and identify flexible pathways outcomes over time and opportunities. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 13 Established roles and responsibilities All levels of government, businesses, communities These are set out in the 2012 agreement by the and individuals have important, complementary Council of Australian Governments’ Select Council and differentiated roles in adapting to the impacts on Climate Change. of climate change. Adaptation Roles and Responsibilities The Australian Government is responsible for national leadership on adaptation, managing Australian Government assets and services including significant investments in public infrastructure, and providing national climate science and information. It maintains a strong, flexible economy and well-targeted safety net to ensure that climate change does not disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. State and territory governments have an important role in adaptation, with significant influence through their planning laws and investments in public infrastructure. This includes key areas of service delivery and infrastructure, such as emergency services, environmental protection, health, planning and transport. They also provide science and information at local and regional scales. Local governments are on the frontline in dealing with the impacts of climate change. They have an essential role to play in ensuring that local circumstances are adequately considered in the overall adaptation response, and local communities are directly involved in adaptation efforts. Local governments are well positioned to inform State and Commonwealth governments about on-the-ground needs of local and regional communities, communicate directly with those communities, and respond to local challenges. Private parties have an important role to play in managing their own risks, for example, maintaining and protecting private assets and incomes. This provides a strong incentive to act but their capacity to act will differ depending on their exposure to risk, and access to resources and knowledge. While there are complementary and differentiated roles. It is by working together that we can respond to the challenges of climate change for the benefit of all Australians. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 14 In line with these responsibilities, all levels strategies including the National Disaster Risk of government and many businesses have Reduction Framework and supporting Action developed plans to adapt to climate change. Plans, the 2021 Intergenerational Report, the 2021 This new national strategy complements these Australian Infrastructure Plan, the 2021 Delivering and will support coordinated action across the Ag2030 report, Australia’s Strategy for Nature, Australian Government and in partnership with all and Australia’s International Climate Change governments, businesses, research institutions and Action Strategy that guides adaptation action in communities. our region. Implementation of this Strategy will continue to support the integration of climate The Strategy aligns with and supports information in new plans and strategies as they are implementation of other national plans and developed. Adaptation strategies at different levels of government and business EXAMPLES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT & PRIVATE SECTOR STRATEGIES NATIONAL STRATEGY National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 15 Across the Australian Government there are many examples of major initiatives driving adaptation across the four domains. The Australian and Queensland governments’ Reef 2050 Plan is the Natural Domain overarching long-term strategy for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef. The focus of the Reef 2050 Plan is on reducing Reef 2050 Long Term local and regional pressures to support the Reef’s health while Sustainability Plan adapting to climate change. The Australian and Queensland governments implement the Reef 2050 Plan in partnership with industry, land managers, scientists, traditional owners and the wider community. The Australian Government is investing $1.9 billion over the decade to 2023–24 to implement the Reef 2050 Plan. The Reef 2050 Plan is improving the Great Barrier Reef’s resilience to climate change by reducing local and regional pressures, giving it a greater capacity to recover and survive into the future. For example, the Government is providing $150 million for the research and development phase of the world-leading Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, to put the Great Barrier Reef at the cutting edge of global efforts to help coral reefs adapt to climate change. Photo: Aerial view of the coral of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © DAWE On 5 May 2021, the Prime Minister announced the Preparing Built Domain Australia Program which will invest $600 million to deliver long term risk reduction and resilience outcomes for Australian communities Preparing Australia to ensure they are better prepared for future disasters. The Program Australian Climate Service is supporting the design of the program. Managing and reducing risk is key to limiting the impacts of disasters, and risk reduction was a focus of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. Managing risk means knowing what could happen, and putting measures in place to reduce the impacts. The program will focus on initiatives which will reduce the impact of future large-scale disaster events and will invest in the built, natural, social and economic domains. The program aims to make Australia stronger in the face of natural hazards like bushfires, floods and tropical cyclones, and reduce the cost of recovery support as we adapt to climate change. Photo: Aerial view of the coastline near Geraldton township, Yamatji Country, Western Australia © DAWE National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 16 The $5 billion Future Drought Fund is part of the Government’s Social Domain Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness Plan. The Fund is Future Drought Fund investing $100 million each year to support communities become more resilient to the effects of future drought. These investments are helping farmers and regional communities prepare for the impacts of future droughts and adapt to changes in climate. This will: • make agriculture more productive and profitable • enhance the wellbeing of our farming communities • improve the sustainability and resilience of the natural resources on which agriculture depends. The Future Drought Fund’s ongoing investment in projects across Australia will help farmers and communities build drought resilience as we adapt to climate change. Photo: Hay bales on property near Tanunda, Ngadjuri, Peramangk and Kaurna Country, South Australia © John Baker The Council of Financial Regulators is made up of The Treasury, Economic Domain Reserve Bank of Australia, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Council of Financial The Council considers the risks of climate change as part of its Regulators discussions and initiatives. Two current initiatives to increase the preparedness of Australian financial institutions to manage climate risks include: • implementing regulatory initiatives to help the Australian financial sector better understand climate-related financial risks, address some of the data and standardisation challenges in climate risk assessment and reporting, and support market participants as they respond to the policy, investment and insurance challenges of climate change • Climate Vulnerability Assessments which aim to identify risk and assist financial institutions adjust their business models. Photo: Eureka tower, Melbourne, Kulin Nation, Victoria National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 17 State and Territory Action Private Sector Action Desalination in Western Australia Brisbane Airport - New Parallel Runway The South West region of Western Australia is Brisbane Airport has considered climate change as experiencing a long-term drying trend linked to part of the planning and design for the long-term climate change. Historically, Perth has mostly relied viability of the new runway. Key risks identified on dams for its water supply. However, modelling included increased frequency of extreme weather of the future climate for the region shows the events, higher temperatures and storm surges. potential for further reduction in annual rainfall, which poses a threat to water security. The region’s Outcomes of the adaptation review included population is also projected to grow, placing changing the location of the additional runway further pressure on water supplies. and supporting feed road, raising the height of the runway above regulated standards and investing To tackle this situation, the Western Australian in a biodiversity plan to create natural barriers Government and the water utility responsible for to key risks. In addition to the height of the new managing water supply has worked to diversify the parallel runway, other climate change impact state’s water resources. Two desalination plants related measures included in the design were the have been built, and together they supply close construction of tidal channels and the installation to 50% of Perth’s potable water needs. A third of a new sea wall along the northern boundary of desalination plant has been announced with an the airport. initial investment of $1.4 billion. The desalination plant is anticipated to produce an additional 50 gigalitres of water per year and will be powered by renewable energy. Other sources, either in use or under investigation, include wastewater recycling, stormwater reuse and deep groundwater, as well as demand reduction measures. Long-term planning with analysis of climate trends has helped build long-term water security for Perth. Photo: Virgin Australia aeroplane landing at Brisbane airport, Turrbal Country, Queensland Photo: Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, Noongar Country, Western Australia National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 18 Private Sector Action Lendlease’s Barangaroo South Development Barangaroo is one of the world’s largest waterfront urban renewal projects and provides a significant extension of Sydney’s CBD. The development at Barangaroo South includes sustainable commercial office space, residential apartments, a hotel, shops, cafes, restaurants, public open space and cultural facilities. An adaptation plan developed for Barangaroo South includes a significant range of adaptation actions such as: • increasing shade, water availability, planting Placeholder for photo or motif trees and using high solar reflectance materials to reduce heat impacts • upgrading stormwater systems to cope with increased extreme events, including facilitating continual, easy access into and out of the development • a variety of approaches to reduce water use • preventing any negative consequences of sea-level rise, including planning for a 0.9 metre sea-level rise over and above Sydney Harbour Foreshore Development Control Provisions. Photo: Aerial view of Barangaroo, Eora Nation, New South Wales © Infrastructure NSW National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 19 Strengthening Australia’s Adaptation Response The Strategy sets out three interlinked objectives to ensure Australians can better protect our natural assets, build community resilience and generate economic opportunities. Outcome Australia can better anticipate, manage and adapt to climate change. Objectives Drive investment and action Improve climate Assess progress and through collaboration information and services improve over time Governments, businesses and Australia has information to better Australia assesses national communities collaborate to build predict, manage and adapt to climate impacts, evaluates resilience and adapt. climate change. adaptation progress and continuously improves. Actions • Provide enhanced national • Deliver coordinated climate • Deliver national assessments leadership and coordination. information and services to of climate impacts and more users. adaptation progress. • Partner with governments, • Continue to deliver world class • Monitor and independently businesses and communities climate science that informs evaluate progress over time. to act and invest. successful adaptation. Domains Natural Built Social Economic Engaging Internationally and in our Region National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 20 Photo: Sunset over the ancient landform of the Kununurra region, Miriwoong Country, Western Australia © DAWE DRAFT PHOTOGRAPH SUBJECT TO CHANGE Objective 1 Drive Investment and Action Through Collaboration Governments, businesses and communities Provide enhanced national collaborate to adapt to climate change. leadership and coordination National leadership and action are needed to The Australian Government will lead a national ensure Australia makes the right investments for effort to support decision-makers to plan for and our future. While substantial progress has been manage climate impacts. made, more needs to be done to integrate climate To enhance national leadership and coordination, information into decision-making, co-design the Australian Government will establish a new tools for emerging challenges, and scale National Adaptation Policy Office to coordinate adaptation actions taken in isolation to deliver work on climate resilience and adaptation across national impact. all governments and provide a central point of Adaptation action and resilience building contact for businesses and communities. This require a coordinated and collaborative effort recognises that climate resilience and adaptation across all levels of government, businesses and are cross-cutting issues that involve all levels of a wide range of organisations, including those government, and many departments and agencies. with responsibilities for land-use planning, The National Adaptation Policy Office will oversee infrastructure, insurance, finance, emergency implementation of this Strategy and report on management, national security, social policy, Australia’s adaptation progress. agriculture, education, health, community The Australian Government will lead by example, development, energy and the environment. With continuing action across all its agencies to identify more effective coordination, we can minimise and build resilience into its assets, operations and duplication, maximise impact and generate new areas of responsibility. opportunities for all Australians. Assessing climate impacts across Government will To support adaptation action, the Australian also support better understanding of systemic Government will: vulnerability to climate change and assist in • enhance leadership and coordination determining adaptation pathways. • partner with governments, businesses and communities to act and invest. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 21 This is consistent with leading practice and ongoing Partner with governments, international activity to apply the approaches businesses and communities of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to risk management and disclosure. The Australian Government will continue to The Australian Government will continue to establish partnerships across all domains to drive implement Climate Compass: A Climate Risk coordinated action. This recognises that all levels Management Framework for Commonwealth of government, businesses, research institutions Agencies across all agencies and support training and communities have roles to play in adaptation, and capability development of officials to fulfil and collaboration will be needed to build adaptive these responsibilities. capacity and drive action. The Australian Government will ensure climate These partnerships will harness the knowledge, impacts are factored into delivery of services, skills and perspectives from different sectors policies to promote resilience of vulnerable and domains that will be needed to support communities, and partnerships with Aboriginal adaptation. Initiatives like the Preparing Australia and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is in line Program, Future Drought Fund, Reef 2050 program with the Priority Reform commitments made by all and intended establishment of a reinsurance pool Australian governments in the National Agreement covering the risk of property damage caused by on Closing the Gap. cyclones and cyclone-related flood damage, are examples of the Australian Government working in National leadership extends to engaging partnership with states and territories, businesses internationally on adaptation and helping our and communities. These initiatives are directed partners in the region. Australia is a trusted- towards our most immediate and acute climate partner and plays an active support role in our adaptation challenges. region and beyond. We will continue to connect and leverage action at the local, national, regional The Australian Government will seek to establish and international scales to better manage climate collaborative mechanisms to help markets risk, protect communities, and strengthen the incorporate resilience into asset valuations or resilience of economies in our region and beyond. initial investment decisions. Adaptive Capacity and Resilience Building adaptive capacity and resilience requires a ‘systems-based’ approach. The ability of individual businesses or communities to adapt to climate pressures will depend on the systems in which they operate, such as supply chains, health and emergency management systems, and policy settings. Coordinated national action can help identify and implement cross-sectoral or jurisdictional responses to systemic barriers. Approaches that are locally led and tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of local communities support effective adaptation. These place-based approaches consider different aspects of climate risk alongside other community needs. Place- based approaches require cooperation and coordination between different levels of government and locally engaged agencies. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 22 This work will build off the Australian Government’s Investors in long-lived assets are seeking participation in the international Coalition for agreed approaches that integrate the financial, Climate Resilient Investment, and related work such economic and social impacts of climatic shocks as the Resilience Valuation Initiative. Incorporating and operational stressors over time. New tools resilience into financial decision-making will help and accounting protocols are also needed to attract private investment in infrastructure, and support investment in natural capital and nature- other assets, capable of withstanding a changing based solutions, such as tree planting to provide climate, driving a shift toward a more climate shelter and protect waterways and restoration resilient economy. of mangroves to protect coastal infrastructure from storm surges. Improved approaches are The Australian Government will support the also needed to enable clearer recognition of development of new climate adaptation decision health and wellbeing outcomes of adaptation and tools and guidance products in partnership with integrate these into built environment policies and governments and businesses to enable climate standards. impacts to be factored into decision-making. Natural Capital and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Australia’s economy and communities have an enormous dependency on natural capital. Healthy ecosystems provide critical services such as fresh water, regulation of regional water cycles, soil fertility and crop pollination, carbon storage, recreation, and buffering from the impacts of hazards. These services, along with industries such as tourism, agriculture and fisheries that depend on natural resources and assets, are vital for both our prosperity and wellbeing. A changing climate highlights the need to address increasing risks to these ecosystem services. The Government is working in partnership with interested banks and financial institutions to develop and trial natural capital metrics. These enable the financial sector and land managers to easily value natural capital and pave the way for increased private sector investment in maintaining and restoring our natural environment. Important steps are also being taken in Australia through implementation of the National Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounting which provides a consistent approach to linking environmental with social and economic data. A major partnership between industry, research and government is also progressing in Australia to assess and value blue carbon for carbon storage, coastal protection, fisheries, and communities. This will prompt investment to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 23 The Australian Government will continue to Australia has a strong history of providing climate facilitate partnerships to incorporate Traditional finance, particularly to countries in our region who Ecological Knowledge and western science. There are among the most heavily impacted by climate are opportunities to make better use of Aboriginal change. Australia is integrating climate and disaster and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ecological resilience outcomes across all sectors of Australia’s knowledge to improve the health of ecosystems. aid program in the region and is ensuring climate Incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge change is embedded in policy solutions to support into decision-making through partnership and the region’s sustainable recovery from COVID-19. employment can have benefits for community resilience and adaptive capacity. The Australian Government will also continue its practical approach to adaptation and resilience building with our international partners. Photo: Early season habitat burn taking place on Mornington Station in the Kimberly region, Bunuba Country, Western Australia © Nick Rains National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 24 National Indigenous Dialogue on Climate Change Since 2015, the National Environmental Science Program’s Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub has facilitated the exchange of information between traditional weather and climate knowledge and western climate change science. In 2018, the National Indigenous Dialogue on Climate Change enabled Indigenous peoples from across Australia to come together to provide recommendations about what climate-change information, capacity-building and engagement would be of greatest value to Indigenous communities. This event highlighted the importance of an ongoing dialogue which led to the National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change held in Cairns in 2021. This Gathering was an opportunity to celebrate, learn from and enhance First Peoples-led climate change action. Outcomes from the two events included recommendations from Australia’s First Peoples to: • continue the dialogue between scientific and traditional (two way) knowledge of climate change • support Indigenous-led projects based on two-way knowledge about climate risks • create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning between Traditional Owners as the best means of strengthening the application of their traditional knowledge • provide Traditional Owners the opportunity to shape the forms of communication and engagement that represent the best value for their communities. Photo: Hands holding quandongs picked from a tree near Banjal Bay on Anjo Peninsula, Wunambal Gaambera Country, Western Australia © DAWE National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 25 Australia’s International Climate Support Programs Climate change is leading to a rapid and unsustainable rise in the demand for humanitarian assistance as Indo-Pacific nations struggle to recover from extreme and more frequent cyclones, floods, droughts and coastal inundation. Australia is a trusted partner and plays an active support role in our region and beyond, including by funding: • governance and adaptive planning to prepare for and respond to the adverse impacts of climate change • adaptation programs that are gender-responsive and socially inclusive and strengthen community resilience in partner countries, especially for the most vulnerable • adaptation initiatives in areas of mutual priority including infrastructure; science, research and meteorological support; and agriculture, fisheries and water. Australia’s climate financing totalled $1.4 billion between 2015 and 2020, making a significant contribution to strengthening adaptation, building disaster resilience, supporting climate-sensitive water and agriculture initiatives, as well as investments to reduce emissions through low-emissions technology solutions in our region. Australia has increased its commitment to provide at least $1.5 billion over 2020–2025 to be implemented through our international development program. This includes $500 million from 2020–25 to the Pacific to support adaptation and mitigation efforts. Australia is committed to strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region including: • increasing our climate financing and responding to the needs and priorities of small island developing states that are the most vulnerable to climate change • strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure, including through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Initiative and working together to develop early-warning systems that protect vulnerable communities • working together to strengthen climate information systems and share the latest climate science and technologies and ensure the region is better prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change. Australia will continue to work with international partners to address climate change through mitigation, adaptation and finance. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 26 We adapt together not alone. Collaborative leadership brings people together to develop solutions, share best practice and scale individual adaptation investment to deliver value for all Australians and the region. Photo: Sunset over the ancient landforms of the Kununurra region, Miriwoong National Country, Climate Western Resilience and Australia Adaptation© DAWE Strategy 27 Photo: Aerial shot of rocky coastline, Bay of Fires, lutruwita, Tasmania Objective 2 Improve Climate Information and Services Australia has information to better predict, To enable decision-makers around the country manage and adapt to climate change. to access consistent and authoritative climate information, the Australian Government will: Climate information and services are critical to drive action. Every day, people, businesses, • deliver coordinated climate information and communities and governments are making services to more users investment decisions which could lock in future • continue to deliver world class climate costs if they do not accurately account for climate science and research that informs successful change. adaptation. Providing authoritative climate information and services enables decision-makers to make investment decisions based on the best available Deliver enhanced climate information and provides the best chance information and services to of accurately accounting for climate change. more users Authoritative government information provides The Australian Government will partner with all a baseline capability that can facilitate a growing stakeholders – including states and territories, services market of industries and businesses that businesses, and research institutions – to draw can tailor or modify this baseline information for together climate information and inform risk their specific needs. Developing authoritative, assessments. This information will inform planning, nationally consistent climate information that action and evaluation. supports adaptation requires work to coordinate underlying approaches and develop best practice The Australian Government has made investments guidance or standards. Authoritative climate in the Australian Climate Service and related services also need to be developed so that initiatives including the Commonwealth Scientific information is tailored to the needs of users. and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) Climate Resilient Enterprise. There are also significant climate service and advice capabilities within state and territory governments and the private sector. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 28 To promote closer collaboration, the Australian • building on existing capabilities to enhance Government will play a coordination role across the our understanding of the physical, social and climate information and climate science landscape economic impacts to inform adaptation action to promote collaborative investment to build national capability. The Australian Government will • supporting the development of best practice work with state and territory governments, and the climate adaptation analysis in collaboration private sector, to deliver a truly national capability with states and territories, industry and to enable decision-makers to better manage disaster academic partners. risk and adapt to climate change. The Australian The Australian Climate Service will work with the Climate Service will look for opportunities to scale National Adaptation Policy Office to prioritise successful state, territory and other information support for critical sectors of the economy and services through partnerships and collaboration. contribute to national assessments of climate This will ensure that new investments and existing impacts and adaptation. It will continue to initiatives support adaptation across the natural, provide uninterrupted support to the National built, social and economic domains. Recovery and Resilience Agency and Emergency The Australian Climate Service will work with states Management Australia. and territories and user representatives to focus on: • delivering robust and useful climate services to support proactive decision-making Photo: View of rainstorm over the desert of Mount Conner Lookout, Pitjantjatjara Country, Northern Territory © Allan Fox National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 29 Continue to deliver world class climate science that informs successful adaptation Climate information and services relies on Australia’s climate is unique, and we cannot solely high-quality science. rely on science or services from other countries to understand our local climate impacts and future Climate science builds understanding of how the opportunities. climate is changing, including the scale and pace of change, what climate Australians in different regions can expect in coming decades, and approaches for effective decision-making and adaptation. Australian Government Investments in Climate Science Australia has a long history as a leading contributor to Southern Hemisphere and Southern Ocean climate science. The Australian Government’s investments in climate science include: • The National Environmental Science Program, Australia’s long-term environment and climate research commitment. The program includes a cross-cutting adaptation mission focused on the identification of intervention actions across the natural and built domains. • CSIRO’s Climate Science Centre provides climate and Earth system modelling to better understand climate variability. • The Bureau of Meteorology’s Research and Climate Services Programs, which are developing seamless weather and climate risk-based services, provide insights from minutes to decades to improve decision-making and risk reduction. • The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, where researchers focus on physical processes underlying extreme rainfall, droughts, heatwaves, and other events. • The Australian Antarctic Division leads the Australian Antarctic Science Program which supports critical research for understanding Australia’s weather and climate. Using its unique Antarctic research infrastructure with national and international researchers, it provides fundamental understanding and long-term monitoring to improve modelling, forecasting and climate projections. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 30 The Australian Government will seek to harmonise By working together, governments and researchers climate science initiatives with stakeholders to can support improved understanding and grow locally-relevant national-scale capability. assessment of climate impacts with a comparable This will include foundational climate science; and coordinated set of projections and scenarios applied research into climate impacts across the information. The Australian Government is natural, built, social and economic domains; and already collaborating with states, territories and the delivery of advice to support both investments researchers on a roadmap to coordinate this today and long-term adaptation planning. nationally important effort. A coordinated set of projections and scenarios information will enable a The Australian Government will continue to wide range of users to more efficiently assess their invest in climate science and promote innovation climate risks and plan for potential opportunities. to inspire and develop the new generation of The projections and scenarios will use the latest multidisciplinary scientific leaders. This will include international climate science and build on existing improvements to the Australian Community international frameworks – including the Task Climate and Earth System Simulator and the Force of Climate-related Financial Disclosures production of next generation climate projections and Network for Greening the Financial System and scenarios by the Australian Climate Service to – to provide information tailored for Australian help decision-makers identify climate adaptation circumstances. These will be developed through and resilience risks and opportunities. This a co-design process involving key climate service investment in next generation climate projections providers and end-users. is part of the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into National Natural The Australian Government will also continue Disaster Arrangements which recommended to share its expertise with the region and the development of updated climate projections international community in areas that underpin underpinned by a common set of trajectories and effective adaptive responses to climate change, timelines. including climate science and meteorology and disaster preparedness and response. Enhancing Australia’s Climate Science Capabilities The Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS) enables scientists to undertake foundational climate research and modelling. ACCESS is an integrated climate modelling suite incorporating atmosphere, ocean and land surface models, including sea-ice and ocean biogeochemistry. Different configurations of ACCESS allow the simulation of climate on time scales ranging from months to millennia. For example, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and the Bureau of Meteorology use ACCESS to contribute to major international climate modelling and prediction projects, including the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 31 Australian Expertise Assists our Pacific Neighbours As a trusted partner, Australia shares scientific expertise with our region to support their efforts to tackle climate change. The Bureau of Meteorology, together with Geoscience Australia, works with the 14 Pacific Island Meteorological Services through the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific to monitor, analyse and communicate information about climate, oceans, and sea levels. This program provides critical information to support planning and decision-making in key sectors such as agriculture, water and sanitation and health. The CSIRO is updating climate change projections for the western Pacific to better communicate the impacts associated with 1.5 degree and 2.0 degree temperature rise scenarios in 14 Pacific countries, and how these changes could impact production in specific sectors. The Australian Institute of Marine Science is piloting the ReefCloud platform in Fiji and Palau, which uses innovative technology and artificial intelligence to monitor the conditions of coral reefs, gathering data about how they are affected by pressures including climate change. Australia is supporting national climate action and improving livelihoods in the Pacific through our investments in restoration and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems. Australia also contributes to the multi-donor Kiwa Initiative: Nature Based Solutions for Climate Resilience, an initiative led by the French Development Agency (AFD) that aims to strengthen resilience to climate change by providing biodiversity conservation for Pacific Island ecosystems, communities and economies, through grants to community organisations, Pacific Island countries and territories and regional organisations. Photo: Aerial shot of Malake Island, Ra, Fiji National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 32 An ongoing effort to ensure all Australians have the information they need. By enhancing our understanding of climate impacts – whether that is for the detailed engineering specifications of a large dam or choosing the right variety of trees to plant – we make better decisions to adapt to climate change. National Photo: Aerial shot of rocky coastline, Bay of Fires, Climate Tasmania and Adaptation Strategy 33 lutruwita,Resilience Photo: Bridge over a creek in the Gondwana Rainforests, Yugambeh language region, Queensland Objective 3 Assess Progress and Improve Over Time Australia assesses national climate Develop and deliver assessments impacts, evaluates adaptation progress of national climate impacts and and continuously improves. adaptation progress Assessing progress on adaptation requires The Australian Government will undertake a regular assessments of national progress to regular assessment of national climate impacts and inform and prioritise effort and monitoring and adaptation progress to determine opportunities evaluation. An integrated collaborative national and underpin the setting of priorities for action assessment will support planning and investment plans and adaptation partnerships. in adaptation and resilience building across the A regular, robust and reliable national assessment Australian community. Monitoring and evaluation will ensure there is a shared understanding of the Strategy will complement assessments of amongst governments, businesses and climate impacts and adaptation progress, and the communities of adaptation and resilience building effectiveness of investments and actions. priorities. To support the National Adaptation Policy Office The national assessment will be co-designed and decision-makers around the country to assess and delivered in consultation with governments, our national priorities and embed continuous business, professional groups and researchers. It improvement, the Australian Government will: will build on existing assessments undertaken in • deliver national assessments of climate Australia by governments, industries, and local impacts and adaptation progress communities rather than replace the initiatives underway. Over time this regular process, • monitor and independently evaluate progress recurring every five years, will support harmonised over time. approaches to assessing our risks and taking action. These assessments will provide insights into the vulnerability of assets or sectors at a range of scales. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 34 The national assessment will involve economic Monitor and independently modelling and analysis to assess the costs and evaluate progress over time benefits of climate impacts and adaptation efforts in key sectors. This will include information on the The Australian Government will deliver a national impacts of a changing climate on infrastructure, approach to monitoring adaptation progress and the likely costs of adaptation, to facilitate co-designed with governments, businesses, private sector capital flows. professional groups, and researchers. The Australian Government will task the Climate Change Authority The national assessments will improve over time to assess implementation of this Strategy. and, as Australia develops environmental economic accounts, the assessments will include changes Knowledge from monitoring and evaluation will in the extent and value of our natural capital provide important feedback to decision-makers and important for adaptation. stakeholders. It will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of policies and increase accountability for The assessment will help Australia meet its risks and adaptation commitments. international reporting obligations under the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Photo: Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area, Norfolk Island © DAWE National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 35 A recurring national assessment and defined metrics to evaluate progress on adaptation will ensure we are objectively tracking progress, enhancing action and ultimately prioritising investments to ensure future economic prosperity. Photo: Bridge over a creek in the Gondwana Rainforests, Yugambeh National language Climate region, Resilience andQueensland Adaptation Strategy 36 Australia Adapts – Together Not Alone This Strategy provides the enabling framework that Through the implementation of these objectives, we Australia needs to adapt to climate change and will position Australia to better anticipate, manage safeguard future prosperity, security and economic and adapt to climate change. These objectives growth. apply to adaptation in the natural, built, social and economic domains and will enable all actors to take Adaptation goes hand-in-hand with action to reduce stronger action to adapt to climate change. emissions and recognises that we must prepare for the climate we are now living in, and the changes to The Strategy also sets the path to deeper cooperation climate that are underway. Sustained action from all with our Indo-Pacific neighbours, international governments, businesses and communities will be partners, and the global community. By working required over decades to adapt to climate change. together, we can share our expertise and experience to better target our investments and maximise This Strategy sets in place the critical elements we benefits to the communities most exposed to climate need to measure and improve our adaptation efforts. impacts. The three interconnected objectives in the Strategy are to drive increased action, enhance information and assess progress to improve over time. Implementation timeframes Objectives Actions Now 1-2 Years 5 Years + Objective 1 Provide enhanced national leadership and coordination Drive investment and action through Partner with governments, businesses collaboration and communities to act and invest Objective 2 Deliver enhanced information and services to more users Improve climate information and Continue to deliver world class science services that informs successful adaptation Objective 3 Deliver national assessments of climate impacts and adaptation progress Assess progress to improve over time Monitor and independently evaluate progress over time. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 37 Successful implementation of the Strategy will deliver: People coming together to develop solutions, share best practice and scale individual adaptation investment to deliver value for all Australians. The information, tools and the support we need is readily available and used to build community resilience, ensure economic prosperity and protect our natural systems. Australia evaluates and reports on progress, climate impacts and opportunities, prioritising adaptation investments and ensuring continual learning. Our regional neighbours and international partners derive lasting benefit from Australian support and co-design solutions to ensure a stable, secure Pacific and a prosperous, sustainable global community. National Photo: Crater Lake National Park, Wet Tropics, Ngadjon-Jii and Climate Yidinji Resilience Country, and © Queensland DAWE Strategy 38 Adaptation Annex: Four Domains Natural Domain Ensuring our natural environment and agricultural industries can adapt to the changing climate will preserve our natural capital, improve productivity, and protect heritage. Australia’s biodiversity and ecosystems are some The $100 million Australian Government Oceans of the most diverse on Earth. However, there are Leadership Package includes action to restore blue limits to the capacity of natural systems to adapt carbon ecosystems like seagrass and mangroves to the impacts of climate change. Climate change that play a key role improving the health of coastal impacts species health and distribution and environments and protecting native species and exacerbates the impacts of other environmental habitat. pressures. Australian farmers, fishers, foresters and The Australian Government’s new ten-year local communities are active stewards of the Threatened Species Strategy (2021–2031), environment, and the Australian Government includes a focus on climate change adaptation is committed to supporting them in this role. and resilience. The Threatened Species Strategy For example, both the Agriculture Biodiversity identifies actions that are needed to assist Stewardship Package and Future Drought Fund threatened species adapt to climate change – support on-ground work and natural resource taking into account interactions with other threats management activities to strengthen sustainability – including risk-based conservation planning and and build drought preparedness and resilience. identifying and conserving places that will be Additionally, programs such as the Rural Research refuges for threatened species. and Development Corporation Climate Initiative provide an important contribution to achieving the Australia’s coasts and water resources hold agricultural sector’s goal to exceed $100 billion in enormous economic, cultural, social and farm gate output by 2030. environmental significance. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 39 Indigenous Australians have cared for Country for thousands of years and, in implementing traditional and innovative land management practices, demonstrate how the natural environment can be better prepared for the future climate. For example, in Victoria, Traditional Owners are working with land and fire management agencies to reintroduce the proactive burning of small areas at different points in the year. The Australian finance and banking sectors are increasingly looking to invest in conserving and restoring our natural capital. In 2020, G7 Finance Ministers endorsed the market-led Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which aims to deliver by 2023 a disclosure framework to assist companies identify nature-related risks and opportunities, including from climate change. The Government is supporting these efforts through the development of natural capital metrics, environmental economic accounts and market- based approaches to provide incentives to invest in environmental management and protection. Photo: Mount Donna Buang, Warburton, Milyirrtjarra, Victoria National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 40 Annex: Four Domains Built Domain Adapting the built environment to a changing climate provides resilient, safe, and liveable spaces for Australians to live, work, play, and innovate. Australia’s built environment is more than Australian governments, experts, industry, and buildings. It includes green and urban spaces, communities continue to develop standards and cities and towns, and the networks of roads, practices to improve the resilience of the built transport, energy, water and telecommunications environment to climate change. For example, the infrastructure that connect them. Darwin Living Lab, a collaborative project between the CSIRO, the Australian Government, Northern In cities, the effects of rising temperatures can Territory Government, and the City of Darwin is be exacerbated because of the urban heat island testing and evaluating heat mitigation measures effect, caused by the prevalence of heat-absorbing to inform tropical urban design by using real world materials such as dark-coloured pavements and experiments. A key element of this initiative is the roofs, concrete, urban canyons trapping hot air, development of green infrastructure strategies and a lack of shade and green space. Gradual for Darwin, redesigning green spaces in the city impacts like sea level and temperature rise, to be useable, attractive, cooling, and beneficial and extreme events like floods, heatwaves and to residents. Other innovative ideas will support bushfires, can also affect the liveability of our Australia to adapt to rising temperatures and urban environments and pose challenges for increased frequency of heatwaves. For example, ageing publicly and privately owned assets and different materials have been trialled in Adelaide infrastructure systems that were not designed and to reduce road surface temperatures in order to built with climate change in mind. cool surrounding areas and combat the urban heat island effect. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 41 Adaptation and resilience planning will help build resilient communities. Recognising the increasingly complex role infrastructure plays in supporting resilience, Infrastructure Australia and Infrastructure NSW partnered on the research project Pathway to Infrastructure Resilience. The project aims to increase resilience by identifying opportunities to improve how infrastructure is planned. This included collaboration with 600 experts across Australia from government, industry, peak bodies, academia, and civil society organisations. A Pathway to Infrastructure Resilience recommends a whole-of-system, all-hazards approach to resilience planning that focuses on strengthening an infrastructure asset, network, and sector, as well as the place, precinct, city, and region where the infrastructure operates. Photo: Residential housing, Melbourne, Kulin Nation, Victoria National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 42 Annex: Four Domains Social Domain Action taken now to increase the adaptive capacity of society will position Australian communities to thrive into the future, despite a harsher climate. The social domain includes our people, our Adaptation must be inclusive and account communities, culture, institutions, support for the underlying factors that contribute to systems, and the interactions between them. This vulnerability, such as issues related to geography, includes families, health and education systems culture, age, gender, diversity, disability and and services, social services and emergency other socioeconomic status. For example, rural management services. communities can be particularly vulnerable to increasing droughts, bushfires and heatwaves. There are strong relationships between the Heatwaves can also disproportionately impact quality of the environment – of air, water, and the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those food systems – and physical and mental health already suffering from chronic disease. and wellbeing. These relationships need attention as climate change challenges the health and The Australian Government’s consideration of wellbeing of Australians and the capacity of its adaptation issues will seek to improve equality and health and social support systems, now and in the fairness for vulnerable communities. future. Australia’s efforts to adapt to climate change are As we adapt in the social domain, particular supported by strong social institutions and assets. attention should also be given to how vulnerable These include high levels of education, a strong communities experience the impacts of climate public health system, and leading climate and change. health research. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 43 Research to date has underpinned robust action to address chronic diseases and environmental health threats. In response to the catastrophic bushfires of 2019–2020, the Australian Government, through the Medical Research Future Fund, is investing in research into the physical and mental health impacts of bushfire smoke. The National Health and Medical Research Council has also established a special initiative to strengthen the Australian health system’s resilience, preparedness, and responsiveness to changing environmental conditions and extreme weather events. There are many other initiatives currently being implemented to improve the resilience and adaptive capacity of Australia’s social domain. For example, the Australian Capital Territory Government (ACT) has developed a Wellbeing Framework, and reports on the factors that impact on the wellbeing of Canberrans. The ACT Government is also helping those who rent housing to adapt their homes to climate extremes, including through workshops, factsheets, assessment tools and guides, and free advice on how to reduce energy costs. Around Australia, many local governments now have heatwave plans in place that clarify responsibilities and outline measures that can enhance long term community resilience. Photo: People working in the sun to build a fence at Muggon Station, Nanda Country, Western Australia © Nick Rains National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 44 Annex: Four Domains Economic Domain Australia has a strong economy that is projected to continue growing over the next 40 years, positioning Australia to respond to future challenges and seize opportunities. Climate change has the potential to impact our Making efficient and well-targeted investments economy in many different ways. Some of our in adaptation now can reduce risks and avoid most important industries and biggest employers significant costs in the long-term, while taking are dependent on the climate, such as the advantage of opportunities. For example, agriculture and tourism industries. Climate change increasing the climate resilience of our agriculture could impact the productivity and competitiveness industry will allow us to remain competitive of certain industries, the nature of work in those in global markets, providing employment for industries, future occupations, and structure of our Australians and potentially attracting further economy. investment – boosting our capacity and productivity. Similarly, investing in climate resilient Better understanding and proactively managing infrastructure will help to avoid locking in climate climate change impacts will help Australian risk and future costs to repair, upgrade or replace businesses to continue to prosper, and our the infrastructure which could reduce future people to continue to have access to secure and economic growth and productivity. meaningful jobs and opportunities in our future climate. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 45 Australia’s financial sector will continue to play an important role in shaping how we plan for and adapt to climate change: • Banks and lenders are considering the impacts that climate change risks could have on borrowers and capital markets. • More businesses are seeking to understand, manage and disclose climate risks, as parts of efforts to strengthen corporate governance and maintain investor confidence. • Financial regulators are providing guidance to businesses to ensure climate risks are being appropriately managed and consumers are protected. Insurance can also be an important risk management tool for individuals and businesses that exposed to climate-related risks. As the climate changes and natural disaster and extreme weather risks increase, it is likely that the cost and availability of insurance will be affected. Some individuals and businesses may find that purchasing or amending insurance policies helps to transfer some risks at a fair cost. Others may find that actions to reduce their exposure to risks, and therefore their reliance on insurance, are more effective. Consumers will need to carefully consider their own circumstances when making decisions on the costs, benefits and risks of different insurance options. The Australian Government has announced its intention to establish a reinsurance pool covering the risk of property damage caused by cyclones and cyclone-related flood damage. The pool will seek to improve the accessibility and affordability of insurance for households and small businesses in cyclone-prone areas, which are mainly located in northern Australia. This work complements other efforts in place to address underlying risks such as the Preparing Australia Program. Photo: View of Sydney CBD, Eora Nation, New South Wales National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 46 National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 47