It’s been one year since Australia assessed its national climate risk. But have we listened?
Over the past 12 months, the federal government has approved multiple fossil fuel projects and cut climate science funding.
One year has passed since Australia unveiled its National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan. These documents marked the government's initial effort to pinpoint climate change risks and devise adaptation strategies. The assessment identified 63 substantial risks, spanning financial systems, disaster recovery costs, health, and the environment, across all regions.
It followed similar assessments in the UK, US, Canada, and New Zealand. The Australian Climate Service received A$22.9 million for the two-year project, involving over 250 experts who produced more than 70 reports. However, despite the assessment's release, Australia has failed to implement meaningful actions to address these urgent climate risks.
In 2025, the world faced its third hottest year on record, with Australia experiencing its fourth warmest year and highest ocean temperatures. This led to extreme heat, bushfires, and floods, causing one death and damaging over 500 properties. Globally, the northern summer of 2026 saw deadly heatwaves and wildfires in Europe and the US.
The UN warned that the world was on track to exceed the 1.5°C global warming limit, potentially reaching 1.8°C by the century's end. The assessment revealed that every Australian community would face increasingly severe consequences, such as more extreme weather, health risks, coastal impacts, and potential ecosystem collapse. Despite progress in energy and transport sectors, Australia still relies heavily on coal and gas, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
The government has approved six coal and gas project extensions and continues to subsidize fossil fuel corporations, spending at least $14 billion annually. However, climate adaptation spending under the federal Disaster Ready Fund has decreased from the initial $200 million per year to roughly $140 million in 2026-27. Significant gaps in Australia's climate-related research and expertise were identified, yet CSIRO, the national science agency, is cutting staff, and funding for the National Environmental Science Program is being reduced by about $30 million.
The government has not shown urgency in addressing these climate risks despite the severe consequences they pose.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
