Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment, undertaken by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in partnership with the Australian Climate Service, has identified nationally significant climate risks, which have been prioritised based on their perceived severity.

The first pass of the report considered the impacts of climate change and found 56 risk areas posed to Australia over the next century, including bushfires, floods, coastal erosion, drought, ocean warming, and tropical cyclones.

It also identified 11 risks that will require further assessment via a second pass to provide a deeper understanding of how climate change will impact Australia.

The following areas were identified.

Defence and national security

An increase in climate events could place added pressure on defence and national security. With heightened demand being placed on emergency services and recovery responses, the Government’s ability to respond effectively may become overwhelmed.

Health and social support

Risks to health and wellbeing, including, mental health, injuries, and mortality arising from climate change.

Infrastructure and built environment

The impact of climate change on telecommunications, energy, and transport systems may disrupt essential services being provided to households. Accessibility to banking services, food, and transportation could lessen households’ capacity to prepare, respond to, and recover from climate events.

Natural environment

Extreme climate events, such as, bushfires and droughts can have adverse effects on habitat ecosystem function. Losses to shorelines, wetlands, and other landscapes could result in the loss or extinction of species and increased pests, diseases, and weeds.

Primary industries and food

Climate variation influences plant growth patterns, total yield, and animal reproduction. Pressures placed on biosecurity by invasive species could also impact on food security and human health and nutrition.

Regional and remote communities

Regional, remote, and First Nations communities are often dependant on their natural environments to provide food, water, timber, medicine, and amenities. Changes in climate may heighten the vulnerability of these communities and have an adverse effect on their lives.

Cross-system — Communities and settlements

Insufficient infrastructure planning and regulation may further the impact of climate change by weakening community resilience and increasing vulnerability and social inequality. Communities who are most exposed to climate events are likely to disproportionately suffer, while those in lower socio-economic areas may be unable to bring their properties up to code as regulations change.

Cross-system – Economy, trade and finance

A probable worst-case scenario could involve the withdrawal of insurance and lending services from highly exposed communities due to the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Cross-system – Governance

A cohesive climate adaption strategy may be hindered by the combined functioning of local and federal governments, with collaboration required across multiple tiers of government. A lack of alignment between government priorities and urgent climate risks may adversely impact adaption strategies.

Cross-system – Supply chains

More frequent and extreme weather events may impact essential supply chains which, in turn, can effect businesses, consumers, and workers. The immediate impacts of this may include reduced access to services and and increase in costs.

Cross-system – Water security

Increased droughts, floods, and variable rainfall resulting from prolonged climate change are likely to impact water security. The possibly reduced quality, accessibility, and availability of water supplies could result in greater competition between industries, consumers, and the environment. Reduced water quality could also lead to the spread of disease and contamination.

The second pass assessment, which will include qualitative and quantitative methods, is currently underway.

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