Climate Change in Australia: Regional Impacts and Adaptation

This report was prepared by an independent working group for the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) and was presented at the 17th meeting of PMSEIC on 22 June 2007.  The views expressed in the report are those of the working group, not necessarily those of the Australian Government. The working group was established to assess the regional impacts and provide advice on Australia’s options for adapting to climate change.

The report highlighted that Australia has a climate-sensitive economy.  Extreme climatic conditions have an economic impact and as the climate changes we can expect more of these extreme events to occur. 

The report concluded that adaptation then is necessary and will bring benefits.  The report found that we need to increase the planning capacity of industries, communities and regions so they can engage more effectively in adaptation research and development.  We need to communicate our knowledge and develop practical adaptation tools.

The report recommends that governments take action to encourage adaptation through:

• Giving priority to developing adaptation plans for:
• Australia’s major cities and urban complexes
• The Murray-Darling Basin
• Iconic biodiversity hot-spots
• Communities with lower capacity to adapt
  
• Convening a national summit to develop a blueprint.
• Assessing the socioeconomic impacts and consequences of climate change and the benefits of adaptation.
• Communicating practical adaptations and encouraging stakeholders to participate in adaptation research.
• Removing impediments to climate change adaptation research.
• Establishing climate change as a National Research Priority.

Report  (1.7 MB)

Associated presentation  (7.7 MB)

Not published in hard copy format.