Australian Business Leaders Urged to Prioritise Climate Resilience - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Key Points

Climate resilience now a boardroom priority[1] Mandatory disclosures begin January 2025[2] Boards urged to embed climate strategy[1] National coordination needed for resilience[1] Transition plans strongly recommended[1]

Momentum Accelerates Amid Regulatory Reform

Australia’s leading company directors and business executives have been told they must embed climate change strategy into governance, culture, and operations.¹

The nation’s latest Climate Governance Forum advised members this must be done to meet the urgent challenges of climate change.³

Climate extremes ranging from billion-dollar floods to surging insurance claims were immediate and intensifying faster than projected.²

Boardrooms had to quickly meet changing regulatory and social demands, with climate resilience now a cornerstone of future activities.³

The New Standard: Mandatory Climate Disclosures

As of January 2025, large corporations and financial institutions must publish annual sustainability reports with rigorously detailed climate-related disclosures.²

This landmark step, lauded as a turning point for Australian corporate governance, moves the needle from voluntary best practices to enforceable standards, compelling directors to overhaul record-keeping and adopt forward-looking risk management.²

The legislation is being phased in across three groups, capturing more entities over three years.²

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued guidance and a dedicated sustainability reporting portal, urging all reporting entities, including future divisions, to begin preparations, regardless of size or sector.²

Deep Integration: Governance, Culture and Capacity

Business leaders are advised to embed climate strategy into the heart of their governance frameworks.¹

Boards must treat climate as a standing agenda item, formally linking executive pay, strategy, and disclosures to environmental commitments.¹

Leading companies such as IAG and Stockland illustrate the approach through ESG strategies anchored in decarbonisation, circularity, and resilience.

Across the sector, directors are engaging in education sessions and scenario workshops, building capacity for risk identification and adaptive planning.¹

Transparency, Collaboration, Opportunity

New standards demand a “prospectus mindset” toward disclosure, as boards must qualify climate statements and secure assurance amid fluid global benchmarks.¹

National coordination will be required to shore up insurance affordability, guide tax reform, and enhance supply chain resilience.¹

Experts urge boards not only to address vulnerabilities but to seek out growth opportunities, such as innovative technologies, sustainable asset portfolios, and the competitive edge delivered by high-performing green buildings.¹

Transition Plans and Science-Based Action

While transition planning is not yet mandatory, it is strongly recommended that boards establish credible decarbonisation pathways and integrate them into operations, budgets, and culture.¹

The pressure to rapidly decarbonise Australia’s energy grid is matched by warnings from scientists: worsening extremes and delayed emissions cuts demand rapid transformation and better stakeholder communication.¹

Boardroom Steps for Immediate Action

1. Prepare for mandatory disclosure: Audit current reporting, build governance capacity, and consult ASIC’s resources.²
2. Integrate climate strategy: Make climate a standing board agenda item and link progress to culture and executive rewards.¹
3. Invest in scenario planning: Use scenario analysis to gauge risks and opportunities, engaging directors and staff in continual learning.¹
4. Build adaptive partnerships: Collaborate across industry and communities to maximise resilience and foster innovation.¹
5. Focus on transparent communication: Engage stakeholders in every step of planning and reporting.¹

Resources

1. AICD Climate Governance Forum 2025 – In-depth analysis and advice for business leaders on climate governance and boardroom action
2. ASIC Mandatory Climate Reporting Guidelines – Regulatory expectations and steps for compliance with new disclosure rules 
3. Climate Governance Initiative - Are you ready to future-proof your business and reap the benefits?

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Beyond Lithium: The Battery Revolution Coming to Your Rooftop - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Key points

Sodium-ion batteries near lithium performance with 175 Wh/kg density[1] Over 10,000 charge cycles and ultra-fast 5C charging[2] Up to 20% cheaper and safer than lithium-ion[4][5] Chinese firms dominate patents and large-scale production[7][8][9] Market projected to hit $1.2B by 2031[14] Widespread residential use expected in 2–3 years

Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as the affordable and safe alternative to lithium for home solar storage.

The technology has advanced rapidly over the past five years, making it a serious competitor to lithium-ion in residential rooftop solar systems^[1].

Performance improvements

Recent breakthroughs have boosted sodium-ion energy density to 175 Wh/kg, close to lithium’s 200–250 Wh/kg range^[2].

Some prototypes have exceeded 10,000 charge cycles, doubling typical lithium battery lifespans^[3].

New designs also allow ultra-fast 5C charging, meaning a battery can be charged in under 12 minutes^[4].

Cost and safety advantages

Sodium-ion batteries use abundant and inexpensive materials, including table salt, making them up to 20 percent cheaper than lithium equivalents^[5].

They eliminate the need for scarce and controversial minerals like cobalt and nickel, reducing environmental and ethical concerns^[6].

They are also far less prone to thermal runaway and fire, offering improved safety for households^[7].

Industry momentum

China currently leads sodium-ion development, with CATL and HiNa Battery already mass-producing cells^[8].

CATL announced commercial sodium-ion packs with 160 Wh/kg energy density, already being integrated into small electric cars and stationary storage^[9].

Globally, patents in sodium-ion battery technologies have surged, indicating rapid commercialisation^[10].

Market outlook

Analysts project the sodium-ion market could reach USD 1.2 billion by 2031, with residential solar storage a key driver^[14].

Early deployments are underway in China and Europe, with Australian trials expected within two years^[15]

Experts believe sodium-ion batteries will be widely available for households within 2–3 years, accelerating rooftop solar adoption^[16].

References

1. ScienceDirect – Sodium-ion battery progress
2. Nature – Advances in sodium battery technology
3. Energy Storage News – 10,000 cycle milestone
4. ScienceDaily – Fast-charging sodium batteries
5. IEEE – Cost comparison of sodium vs lithium
6. Reuters – Sodium reduces mineral demand
7. Battery University – Sodium safety benefits
8. Nikkei – CATL production announcement
9. CATL official sodium-ion release
10. PV Magazine – Patent surge
11. IDTechEx – Sodium-ion market forecast
12. RenewEconomy – Australian trials
13. ABC – Sodium-ion residential rollout
14. Allied Market Research – Sodium-ion battery market
15. RenewEconomy – Australian sodium battery production
16. FinancialContent – UK sodium-ion home battery

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Port Lincoln SA 2050: Hotter, Drier, Riskier Climate - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Port Lincoln faces a warmer, drier
and more volatile climate by 2050

Key Points

Annual mean temperatures may rise by about 1.3–2.2°C by 2050 under high emissions.[1] Sea level rise around 0.3 m by 2050 raises coastal flood and erosion risk.[2] Winter and spring rainfall is likely to decline, while heavy downpours grow more intense.[3] Fire danger days and longer fire seasons are projected to increase substantially.[4] Without much stronger mitigation and scaled adaptation, Port Lincoln faces wide social, economic and cultural disruption by 2050.[5]

Port Lincoln now

Port Lincoln is the principal town at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula and its economy and culture are bound to the sea and the land.

The town currently enjoys cool wet winters and warm dry summers with annual rainfall in the order of four hundred millimetres and a strong maritime influence.

The local economy relies on commercial fisheries, aquaculture, grain and sheep farming, coastal tourism and a network of small businesses in town.

Temperature trends and heat

Official projections for South Australia indicate average temperature rises of roughly 1.3 to 2.2 degrees Celsius by mid-century under a high emissions' pathway, with Eyre Peninsula broadly in that range.^[1]

Port Lincoln can therefore expect more frequent hot days and longer heatwaves, increasing the number of days above 35 or 40 degrees and raising heat stress for people and livestock.

Heat will compound other hazards because warmer air increases evaporation, dries soils and lengthens the period in which bushfires can start and spread.

Rainfall, drought and water security

Regional projections show declines in winter and spring rainfall for parts of southern Australia and increases in potential evapotranspiration that together reduce water availability for agriculture and town supplies.^[3]

At the same time, heavy short-duration rainfall events are expected to become more intense, making flash flooding and erosion more likely even as average seasonal totals fall.

For farmers around Port Lincoln, a pattern of drier seasons punctuated by intense storms will make cropping and grazing riskier and raise the value of water storage, reuse and drought-tolerant practices.

Sea level rise and coastal risk

South Australian coastal guidance commonly sets about 0.3 metres of sea level rise by 2050 for planning, which increases the frequency and reach of storm surge and coastal inundation events on low-lying shores.^[2]

Port Lincoln’s foreshore, harbour infrastructure and culturally significant coastal sites will face greater erosion and episodic flooding that will threaten roads, utilities and private property.

Coastal ecosystems such as dune systems and salt marshes may migrate or shrink, and some infrastructure decisions will force trade-offs between protection and planned retreat.

Fire weather and emergency demand

Climate projections indicate increases in severe fire danger weather for large parts of South Australia, including longer fire seasons and more days of extreme fire danger.^[4]

For Port Lincoln and surrounding agricultural districts, more frequent high fire danger days would stretch volunteer and professional firefighting resources and increase the likelihood of community evacuations.

Changes in fuel dryness and wind patterns will also make prescribed burning and other mitigation more complicated and politically fraught.

Ecological impacts

Warmer, drier conditions and altered fire regimes will shift terrestrial vegetation communities, with risks to endemic plants and animals that rely on winter rainfall and cooler conditions.

Marine systems off the Eyre Peninsula are also vulnerable as warmer sea temperatures and ocean chemistry changes alter species distributions, breeding success and fisheries productivity.

Social and cultural impacts

Heatwaves will pose acute health risks for the elderly, young children and outdoor workers, increasing demand on health services and cooling infrastructure.

Damage to coastal cultural heritage, including Aboriginal middens and shoreline sites, is likely if erosion and inundation are not managed proactively.

The intangible losses — a changed sense of place, altered seasonal rhythms and impacts on community rituals tied to the sea and land — will compound material harm.

Economic implications

Fisheries and aquaculture may face species shifts and productivity changes that require adaptive management and investment in monitoring and flexible business models.

Agriculture will likely need new varieties, changed planting schedules and investment in water efficiency to remain viable in a more drought-prone climate.

Tourism and coastal recreation industries will have to contend with beach erosion, damage to amenity infrastructure and a shorter season for comfortable outdoor activities.

Governance, politics and choices

Local government and state agencies will be pressed to choose between hard protection, accommodation, and retreat for different coastal assets and communities.

Insurance availability and affordability will become a central political issue as repeated claims and rising premiums challenge household and municipal budgets.

Community engagement, transparent decision-making and equitable support for those most exposed will determine how well the region weathers transitions.

2025 action versus 2050 needs

By 2025 South Australia has progressed renewable energy deployment and published regional climate guidance, but current global and national emissions trajectories still imply substantial warming unless deep mitigation accelerates.

To avoid the worst local impacts, policymakers must combine aggressive emissions' reduction with systematic adaptation, from coastal planning to water resilience, fire management and community health preparedness.

What could be done now

Priority steps include updating land use plans to reflect coastal hazard zones, investing in nature-based coastal protection, strengthening water security and expanding heat-health responses.

Investment in monitoring, local research partnerships and community education can reduce surprise and help industries and households adapt more cost-effectively.

Final note

The shape of Port Lincoln in 2050 will depend on the scale of global mitigation and the quality of local adaptation choices, and the coming decade is pivotal for reducing risk and preserving community resilience.

References

1. Climate Change in Australia: State climate statement for South Australia.
2. Government of South Australia: Sea level rise and coastal planning.
3. CSIRO: Climate projections and impacts for Australia.
4. Government of South Australia: Managing bushfire risk in a changing climate.
5. Bureau of Meteorology: Climate change information and regional projections.

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Mount Gambier SA 2050: Double the Heat and Higher the Fire Risk - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Mount Gambier faces rising heat, drought, 
fire, and social pressures by 2050

Key Points

Days over 35°C could rise from 6.5 to 13 per year [1] Annual rainfall may drop by nearly 5% [2] Severe fire risk days could increase by 36% [3] Community health faces higher extreme heat risks [4] Agriculture, tourism, and productivity at risk [5] Local climate action is lagging behind needs [6] Stronger political and economic adaptation is required [7]

2050: Mount Gambier’s New Climate

Mount Gambier is entering a decisive period as climate change reshapes its weather, economy, and culture. 

Once known for its temperate summers and lush surrounds, the city is forecast to experience nearly double the number of extreme heat days by mid-century.^[1]

Scientists estimate the city will have up to 13 days over 35°C each year by 2050.^[1]

This compares with a historical annual average of just 6.5 such hot days.^[1]

At the same time, average annual rainfall could decrease by 4.8%, amplifying risks of drought and water scarcity.^[2]

Winter and spring precipitation will drop, reducing flows to local lakes, wetlands, and underground aquifers that feed the iconic Blue Lake.^[2]

Combined with rising temperatures, these shifts mean more frequent heatwaves and longer dry periods.^[1]

Fire, Flood, and Extreme Events

Mount Gambier faces an estimated 36% rise in severe fire danger days by 2050, making bushfires a more frequent threat than ever before.^[3]

Extreme rainfall events will also intensify, boosting risks of flooding and storm damage even as total annual rain declines.^[3]

Coastal ecosystems are exposed to sea-level rise, while fragile inland habitats will be strained by drought and heat.^[2]

Economic Stress and Transformation

Agriculture anchors Mount Gambier’s economy, supporting jobs and exports across the Limestone Coast.^[5]

Crop yields could drop due to higher temperatures and less reliable rainfall, while extreme heat may disrupt work in forestry, manufacturing, and food processing.^[5]

Tourism, especially nature-based activities around lakes and heritage landscapes, will need adaptive strategies as weather extremes challenge facilities and natural attractions.^[5]

Infrastructure, from roads to power networks, faces heightened risks of disruption as heatwaves and bushfires put systems under strain.^[5]

Social and Health Impacts

Extreme heat is a silent but deadly hazard.^[4]

Medical services and vulnerable groups experience surges in heat-related illness during stretches of temperatures above 35°C.^[4]

Older Australians, young children and those with chronic health conditions are especially exposed.^[4]

Summer sport, festivals, and outdoor gatherings—a core part of Mount Gambier’s culture—will require new planning and support.^[4]

Ecology Under Pressure

Mount Gambier’s diverse ecosystems, from wetlands and woodlands to coastal zones, face complex new pressures.^[3]

Some species may decline or migrate as their habitat conditions shift.^[3]

Iconic wetlands, internationally listed for biodiversity, could shrink and become saltier, threatening endangered plants and animals.^[3]

Climate change could also bring new pests and diseases, affecting both natural and agricultural systems.^[3]

Politics and Mitigation: The 2025–2050 Gap

Currently, South Australia’s climate action is not keeping pace with the challenge.^[6]

Local emissions targets and adaptation policies remain underfunded and politically contentious.^[6]

By 2025, Mount Gambier has implemented limited measures: improved fire-readiness, small solar installations, and some groundwater protections.^[6]

Yet experts and community leaders warn these efforts fall short of what is needed for 2050 resilience.^[6]

To avoid the worst impacts, local governments must accelerate renewable energy investments, better manage water resources, upgrade emergency planning, and support households to reduce carbon footprints.^[7]

Cultural and Community Challenges

Mount Gambier’s distinct social fabric relies on connection and participation.^[3]

But health disparities, low incomes, and ageing populations can generate uneven vulnerability to climate impacts.^[4]

Community organisations, festivals, and sporting clubs are beginning to respond, with advocacy on heat safety, mental health, and climate-conscious programming.^[7]

Cultural adaptation is seen as central to a resilient future—maintaining the city’s identity even as climate conditions change.^[7]

What Must Change by 2050

Mount Gambier’s pathway to climate safety by 2050 hinges on ambitious, cross-sectoral action.^[7]

This means joining national and global efforts to cut emissions—expanding wind and solar energy, electrifying transport, and safeguarding nature.^[7]

It requires grassroots innovation, investment in education, and a robust social safety net for those most at risk.^[7]

If governments, industries, and communities act quickly, the city can not only survive the coming decades but thrive—showing regional Australia how to meet the climate challenge head-on.^[7]

References

1. HeatWatch – Extreme Heat in South East SA
2. Regional Values and Climate Change Report
3. Regional Values and Climate Change Report
4. HeatWatch – Extreme Heat in South East SA
5. Regional Values and Climate Change Report
6. HeatWatch – Extreme Heat in South East SA
7. Regional Values and Climate Change Report

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Australia sets 2035 emissions target at 62–70% below 2005 levels - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

The Federal Government has unveiled a new climate target, committing Australia to cut emissions by 62–70% from 2005 levels by 2035.
The range, described as ambitious but achievable, falls slightly below recommendations from independent climate advisers.
The package includes billions in funding for clean energy, low-carbon fuels, and industrial decarbonisation programs.
Officials emphasised the plan keeps Australia on track for its net-zero by 2050 commitment while balancing economic realities.

2035 Emissions Target

Main decisions

• 2035 target: Set a national emissions reduction target of 62–70% below 2005 levels by 2035. — source: Reuters.
• Net zero reaffirmed: Government reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050. — source: AP News.
• Ambition caveat: Government described the range as the maximum feasible ambition now, saying targets above ~70% are not realistic at present. — source: Reuters.

Funding, programs and specific allocations

• National Reconstruction / Net Zero Fund: $5.0 billion to support industrial decarbonisation and low-emissions manufacturing. — source: BeefCentral (reporting on government package).
• Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC): $2.0 billion additional support to back clean energy projects and help moderate electricity prices. — source: Reuters.
• Clean fuels support: ~$1.1 billion to accelerate local clean fuels production and related industries. — source: BeefCentral.
• EV charging rollout: $40 million to speed kerbside and fast-charger deployment in suburban and regional areas. — source: BeefCentral.
• Household/business energy programs: $85 million for frameworks and tools to help households and businesses lift energy performance. — source: BeefCentral.

Policy levers, sectoral priorities and modelling context

• Electricity transition: Emphasis on scaling renewables, transmission upgrades, storage and household batteries to decarbonise the grid. — source: BeefCentral.
• Electrification & efficiency: Push on electrifying transport and industry, improving appliance and building efficiency and supporting EV uptake (including vehicle standards). — source: BeefCentral.
• Clean fuels and hydrogen: Support for domestic low/zero carbon liquid fuels, hydrogen and other emerging fuels as part of industry decarbonisation. — source: BeefCentral.
• Carbon removals & ACCU reform: Focus on scaling net carbon removals including through landholder programs and improvements to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) framework. — source: BeefCentral.
• Modelling context: Treasury and Climate Change Authority modelling previously suggested ranges around 65–75% by 2035, so the announced 62–70% sits slightly below some expert upper scenarios. — source: Reuters.
• International timing: The announcement updates Australia’s near-term ambition ahead of upcoming UN climate processes, including COP meetings. — source: Reuters.

Media coverage

• Reuters: Australia announces lower than expected 2035 emissions reduction target of 62%-70% 
  A country has announced a new 2035 emissions reduction target of 62–70% below 2005 levels, a figure lower than some advisory ranges and modelled recommendations.
• AP News: Australia targets at least 62% emissions cut in the next decade 
  Australia has announced a new climate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 62% to 70% below 2005 levels by 2035, reinforcing its longer-term net-zero commitment.
• The Daily Telegraph: Anthony Albanese announces a 62 to 70 per cent emissions reduction target 
  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a national emissions reduction target of 62% to 70% by 2035, framed as part of the pathway to net zero by 2050.
• The Australian: Emissions reduction target for 2035 set at between 62% to 70% 
  On 18 September 2025 the federal government announced a new 2035 emissions reduction target aiming for a 62%–70% cut from 2005 levels.
• news.com.au: 2035 climate target: Treasury warns of hit to living standards in disorderly transition 
  A Treasury report published with the government's updated 2035 target warns of severe economic consequences if the transition to lower emissions is disorderly or delayed.
• ABC News: Business and climate groups stand at opposite ends on 2035 climate target 
  Climate advocates say the government should aim higher, while business representatives warn that an over-ambitious target could risk jobs and exports if not managed carefully.
• SBS News: Australia urged to adopt more 'ambitious' emissions reduction target Observers and some climate groups are urging the government to adopt a more ambitious 2035 target, warning that the economic cost of inaction could be far higher in the long term.
• The Guardian: Albanese unveils ‘responsible’ new climate target to slash emissions over next decade
  Australia will aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions between 62% and 70% on 2005 levels by 2035, the PM has announced.

Commentary

Experts and Academia

• Dr. Kat O'Mara, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management and Sustainability at Edith Cowan University, said: "It was pleasing to see that the Prime Minister has acknowledged the need to increase our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, and the impact that our current approach would have on the economy and jobs."
• Professor Deanna D'Alessandro, Director of the Net Zero Institute, University of Sydney, called the announcement a "major opportunity for Australia to use bold solutions for decarbonisation."
• Dr. Wesley Morgan, Research associate from the Institute for Climate Risk & Response at the University of New South Wales, noted that to meet Australia's share of global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C, "our 2035 target should have been a cut of at least 75% on 2005 levels by 2035." 

Advocacy and Environmental Groups

• Climate Analytics said the new target "simply doesn't match the level of action required to stave off many of the extreme climate change impacts warned Australians about in this week's Climate Risk Assessment."
• Greenpeace Australia Pacific stated that the government's plan "prioritizes fossil fuel profits and business interests over people," and effectively abandons Australia's commitment to 1.5°C.
• The Australian Conservation Foundation called the target "timid" and argued that the range "condemns Australian communities to ongoing climate harm and is embarrassing in the face of the climate leadership being shown by our Pacific neighbours and states like Victoria and New South Wales. 

Political Leaders

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, "This is a responsible target backed by the science, backed by a practical plan to get there and built on proven technology."
• Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the target "fails on both counts" when it came to cost and credibility, adding, "you cannot trust a single thing this government says".
• Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the government's "actual target was 62%, which she described as 'appallingly low'," and that "Labor have sold out to the coal and gas corporations with this utter failure of a climate target."

Media and Commentators

• Michelle Grattan, a Professorial Fellow at the University of Canberra and commentator for Australian Geographic, wrote that the "wide range seeks to straddle, to the extent possible, those in business pressing for the target to be kept relatively modest and environmentalists who want more ambition".
• Giles Parkinson, editor of RenewEconomy, wrote that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese "has set a 2035 emissions reduction target of 62 to 70 per cent, at the lower end of expectations following an intense campaign by big business interests, and despite a catastrophic forecast of climate impacts released earlier this week".

Australia’s Climate Risk Assessment: Media and Sector Commentary - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

David Pope, The Canberra Times

The release of the First National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) has sparked significant reactions across media and sectors including agriculture, energy, insurance, and finance. 

Below are summaries of major perspectives, highlighting risks, responses, and what organisations want to see happen.

The Guardian

The Guardian described the NCRA as delivering a “stark warning about the multifaceted and intensifying risks of climate change across the country” ^[1].

It emphasised projections such as heat-related deaths increasing up to 444% in Sydney if warming reaches 3 °C, and the economic burden reaching $40 billion annually by 2050 ^[1].

The Guardian used the phrasing “cascading, compounding, and concurrent” risks, arguing that multiple impacts (on health, infrastructure, emergency services etc.) are likely to overlap and worsen each other ^[1].

It also warned of threats to biodiversity, observing that at least 17 ecosystems are already showing signs of collapse ^[1].

Reuters

Reuters reported the NCRA warned that “no community will be immune to the cascading and compounding effects of climate change” ^[2].

It quoted Climate Minister Chris Bowen saying that while some impacts are unavoidable, moving toward net-zero emissions by 2050 can still reduce future damage ^[2].

Reuters flagged that northern, remote, and outer urban areas are particularly vulnerable to multiple overlapping climate risks ^[2].

It noted that the NCRA is paired with a national adaptation plan aimed at improving coordination across levels of government to address these risks ^[2].

Zurich (Mandala-Zurich Climate Risk Index)

Zurich’s Climate Risk Index found that over a quarter of Australia’s energy generation assets are already in the highest risk categories, and that this proportion is expected to grow significantly by 2050 ^[3].

The Northern Territory grid is especially exposed, with about 96% of its existing generation capacity in the top three risk tiers under an intermediate warming scenario ^[3].

Western Australia’s grid was also identified as highly vulnerable to climate extremes ^[3].

These findings stressed the need for energy sector investment and planning to be risk-aware and responsive to climate hazards ^[3].

Climate Change in Australia (ESCI Project)

The ESCI (Electricity Sector Climate Information) project came up as a tool to integrate climate risk into electricity planning and modelling ^[4].

It emphasises that climate modelling should align with decision-making horizons in the energy sector ^[4].

ESCI identifies pathways for embedding extreme weather and other climate hazards into standards for grid reliability, infrastructure design, and investment strategy ^[4].

Its work complements the NCRA by providing sector-specific insights that help manage growing hazard exposure ^[4].

Insurance Council of Australia / APRA

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and APRA are conducting a Climate Vulnerability Assessment involving major general insurers like IAG, Suncorp, QBE, Allianz and Hollard ^[5].

This initiative aims to understand how affordability and availability of general insurance may evolve under climate scenarios out to 2050 ^[6].

ICA has warned that many homeowners in high-risk areas are already exposed to growing hazard risk, pushing for a long-term agenda for disaster resilience ^[7].

There is concern that some properties or regions may become uninsurable unless risk reduction, better planning, resilient building and regulatory standards are improved ^[8].

Reserve Bank of Australia

The RBA flagged that climate change could amplify financial system stress, especially via insurance, property markets, and non-bank intermediaries ^[9].

It noted that insufficient insurance coverage for properties can introduce ripple effects through mortgages and lending when disaster hits ^[9].

APRA emphasised that its insurance Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) will deepen national understanding of how climate risk affects affordability and the protection gap ^[6].

Analysts warn that rising premiums and underinsurance will disproportionately affect poorer and more vulnerable communities, increasing inequality and economic risk ^[10].

References

1. The Guardian — Key takeaways from Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment
2. Reuters — Australia faces cascading climate risks, government report says
3. Zurich — Climate Risk Index finds energy assets highly exposed
4. Climate Change in Australia — ESCI Project
5. Insurance Business — APRA’s climate risk study to shape future of insurance affordability
6. APRA — Details on Insurance Climate Vulnerability Assessment
7. Insurance Business — Climate risk hits millions of Australian homes
8. EBM Insurance — Climate change vs insurance
9. RBA — Resilience of the Australian Financial System
10. Reuters — Australian homeowners struggling to afford insurance

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Australia issues ‘terrifying’ climate warning - Julian Cribb

AUTHOR

Julian Cribb AM is an Australian science writer and author of seven books on the human existential emergency. His latest book is How to Fix a Broken Planet (Cambridge University Press, 2023)

Higher global warming will bring ‘terrifying impacts’ to human health, infrastructure, the environment, national security and the economy, the Australian Government has warned.

The First National Climate Risk Assessment summarises the threats to Australia – and, indeed every country on the Planet – from a wild climate that is increasingly out-of-control.

Key findings include:

• No part of the country is immune from climate impacts

• A hotter climate brings greater risks to all

• Future changes may be sudden and large

• Every small increase in temperature brings greater chances of multiple impacts, unleashing tipping points

• Even small changes create feedbacks that make other factors worse

• Stabilising global warming will not prevent all climate impacts, some of which will persist for centuries.

The report identified over 60 intensifying risks facing the nation in areas such as the economy, food security, defence, health, communities, infrastructure, the natural environment, indigenous people and trade.

By 2050 it said all these risks would be rated “very high”. Risks to health and the environment were rated at the extreme end of “very severe”, while defence and community risks were “severe”.

Figure 1. Rising severity of climate risks to Australia. Source: Australian Government 2025.

The report stated that parts of the environment were already in danger of collapse, notably the ability of forests, wetlands and oceans to function as carbon sinks.

Importantly, too, it warned of rising food insecurity in Australia, a country endowed with a generous food surplus which feeds 60 million people worldwide. This will result from falling crop yields, rising heat stress for livestock, increasing loss of water for irrigation, declining output from forestry and fisheries and biosecurity threats.

While the report focuses mainly on the role of the Australian Defence Force in disaster prevention and relief, it also noted the scope for wider security impacts in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, as more countries struggle to deal with unmanageable climate impacts.

Commenting on the government’s report the Admiral Chris Barrie, head of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, said “It reveals a level of threat that now demands a fundamental shift in national planning, energy, and budget priorities.”

“The NCRA paints a terrifying picture of climate impacts in a future Australia that will fundamentally change how and where Australians live and work, with even more severe storms and flooding, unbearable heatwaves and deeper droughts, and pressure on industry, infrastructure, agriculture and vulnerable communities.

“It is shocking that 1.5 million Australians will be at risk from sea level rise by 2050., and 597,000 will be at risk just five years from now. Parts of northern Australia will become unliveable, and it is likely that climate impacts will drive a permanent food cost-of-living crisis.”

While written exclusively for Australia, the Future Climate Report has profound implications for other nations, notably the USA. The Trump regime has implemented over 140 policies designed to promote fossil fuels, gag government and university climate research, and cripple the shift to clean energy.

Deprived of the truth, in future citizens of counties like the US and Russia may have to rely on official warnings emanating from countries like Australia, Germany, Sweden and New Zealand to cope with their own mounting domestic crises.

The report comes at an important time for Australia, whose successive LNP and Labor governments have consistently placed the interest of oil and coal companies above those of the nation itself. It presents the Australian government with an acute dilemma – to side with its people or to side with foreign-owned fossil corporates.

According to the research thinktank the Australia Institute, the nation already spends over $15 billion a year – equal to a quarter of its defence budget – on propping up largely foreign-owned coal and oil companies.

On top of this the current Australian Government has approved of over 6 billion tonnes of new coal and gas emissions since taking office in 2022, making Australia the world’s third worst carbon export villain. It has 29 new fossil fuel projects in the approval pipeline.

Amid all this, Australia is currently competing with Türkiye to co-host the next United Nations Climate COP31 conference, due in November, with the support of the Pacific Island nations it is trying to drown with its energy policies.

For the past four years the COP conference has been corrupted by dominant fossil fuels interests and it remains to be seen whether Australia is serious about fixing the climate – or merely acting as another stooge for planet-wide destruction. 

The First National Climate Risk Assessment makes it clear that actions which promote the continued use of fossil fuels by Australia are inimical to the interests of its people and, indeed, to all citizens of Earth. It provides a test of political integrity at a time when the phrase has become almost meaningless.

At the least it offers an honest appraisal of the consequences for Australia – and most other countries – of persistently ignoring one of the gravest perils of our age. An opportunity to change, and to side with humanity against the forces of greed and darkness that surround us.

Links

• Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment
• Fossil fuel subsidies - The Australia Institute
• “Australia faces cascading climate risks, government report says” — Reuters 
• “‘Cascading, compounding’: five key takeaways from Australia’s national climate risk assessment” — The Guardian 
• “Australia climate report: Millions face devastating coastal flooding risk” — The Australian 
• “Apocalyptic report a ‘wake-up call’ on climate impacts: PM” — Australian Financial Review 
• “First National Climate Risk Assessment report released | Ministers” — Official government media release 

 

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