Government releases its first climate change risk assessment

Australians will face increasingly catastrophic impacts from climate change in the coming decades, according to a new government-funded report.

The Australian Climate Service has released the first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA), commissioned to evaluate current and future climate risks across the country.

It warns of rising sea levels, more heatwave-related deaths, and worsening impacts on the environment.

Report

The report shows modelling by Australia’s leading climate scientists on the risks of global heating at 1.5ºC, 2ºC, and 3ºC above pre-industrial temperatures, measured across the coming century.

Each level of heat carries threats to Australians’ health, the economy, natural environments, infrastructure, and essential services.

The report notes warming across Australia has already reached 1.5 degrees. Its estimates are based on a scenario where temperatures aren’t reduced.

Under 1.5ºC scenario:

The average number of annual heatwave days could increase by 50%.
More than half a million Australians living in coastal regions would be at risk from rising sea levels by 2030.
The number of heat-related deaths could increase by more than 100% in Sydney and Darwin.
The economy could lose more than $19 billion by 2030.

Under 2ºC scenario:

The average number of annual heatwave days could increase by 125%.
More than 1.5 million Australians living in coastal regions will be at risk from rising sea levels by 2050.

You have read 0 articles this year.

Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.

The number of heat-related deaths could increase by up to 190% in major cities.
The economy could lose more than $211 billion by 2050.

Under 3ºC scenario:

The average number of annual heatwave days could increase by two weeks.
Rising sea levels would leave 3 million Aussies exposed to flood risk by 2090.
The number of heat-related deaths could increase by up to 400% in major cities.
The economy could lose more than $4.2 trillion by 2100.

Government

In response to the report, the Federal Government has released a National Adaptation Plan, outlining how Australia will address the growing risks of climate change.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said the plan would require a whole-of-society effort to manage “the unavoidable impacts.”

“It’s clear that every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come,” Bowen said.

Comments

The report comes ahead of the Government’s announcement of its 2035 climate target later this week.

The Coalition Opposition said climate change was a global problem, and that Australia “cannot make a difference on its own, but we must play our part.”

Greens leader Larissa Waters, who described the report’s findings as “chilling,” reiterated the party’s call for the Government to set a net zero emissions target by 2035.