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Australia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with its varied ecosystems, climates, and biodiversity. The country has already experienced significant impacts, including increased average temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as the devastating 2019-20 bushfires. Australia's climate has warmed since national records began in 1910, with an average temperature increase of 1.44 ± 0.24 °C. The country's highest temperature record was set in 2019, and the frequency of hot weather records has tripled in the past decade compared to cold weather records. Australia's climate change strategies and actions are crucial in mitigating these impacts and meeting global commitments. While the country has made commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and developed various initiatives, its progress and contributions have been rated as insufficient by organizations such as Climate Action Tracker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate Change Strategies | Powering Australia, Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme, Climate Active, Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme, Safeguard Mechanism, Annual Climate Change Statement to Parliament, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Climate Change Authority, The Australian Climate Service |
| Climate Change Observations | Increase in average land and sea temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, increased fire danger, rising sea levels, increase in the number and length of periods of dangerous fire weather, increase in the intensity of heavy rainfall events, increase in the duration and frequency of heatwaves, increase in deforestation |
| Climate Action Tracker Ratings | Insufficient, Critically Insufficient, Poor |
| Climate Projections | Eight distinct regions of Australia will be affected differently by climate change, with temperature projections and seasonal-average rainfall changes varying across the country |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's climate change strategies
Australia is experiencing the effects of climate change, with rising land and sea temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, increased fire danger, and rising sea levels. The country's average temperature has increased by 1.44 ± 0.24 °C since national records began in 1910, with every decade since 1950 being warmer than the last.
In response to these challenges, Australia has developed and implemented various climate change strategies. Here is an overview of some key strategies and initiatives:
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme
The NGER scheme is a national framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, and consumption. It provides a standardized approach to tracking and reporting emissions data, enabling the government to monitor progress toward emission reduction targets.
Safeguard Mechanism
This mechanism aims to reduce Australia's largest greenhouse gas emitters' net emissions over time. It sets limits on emissions and requires these large emitters to stay below those limits, with the limits being gradually reduced.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
ARENA provides financial support for low emissions technology and renewable energy projects. By investing in innovative solutions, ARENA helps drive the transition to cleaner energy sources and reduces Australia's carbon footprint.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
CEFC is another key player in Australia's clean energy transition. It provides financing specifically for clean energy projects, helping to remove financial barriers and accelerate the development and deployment of renewable energy solutions.
Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme
The RET scheme encourages the generation of electricity from renewable sources. By providing incentives and supporting the development of renewable energy infrastructure, the scheme aims to reduce emissions and increase the contribution of renewable energy to Australia's energy mix.
Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme
The ACCU scheme incentivizes organizations and individuals to adopt practices and technologies that reduce emissions and store carbon. It provides a framework for recognizing and rewarding those who take proactive measures to mitigate their carbon footprint.
Climate Active Carbon Neutral Certification
Climate Active encourages Australian businesses to become carbon neutral. By providing certification, Climate Active recognizes and promotes sustainable business practices, encouraging more organizations to prioritize carbon neutrality.
Powering Australia
Powering Australia is a comprehensive plan that aims to capitalize on Australia's natural resources to drive growth and the development of new industries, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The initiative encourages businesses, industries, and consumers to reduce emissions through various programs and initiatives.
While Australia has implemented these strategies, its overall progress and commitment to climate change mitigation have been criticized. Australia's climate finance contributions have been deemed insufficient, and the country has been urged to strengthen its domestic emissions reductions and increase financing for climate action in developing countries.
Additionally, indigenous communities in Australia, already facing long-term socio-economic challenges, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. There have been calls for greater community input and more adaptive strategies to address the unique environmental challenges faced by these communities.
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The impact of climate change
Australia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with its diverse climates and ecosystems. The country has already experienced significant impacts, and the future projections indicate further challenges.
Temperature Rise and Extreme Weather Events
Australia's average temperature has increased by 1.44 ± 0.24 °C since 1910, with every decade since 1950 being warmer than the last. The year 2019 was the warmest on record, with a temperature 1.52°C above average. Hot weather records have occurred three times more often than cold weather records in the past decade. The frequency and duration of heatwaves have increased, and the number and length of periods of dangerous "fire weather" have risen, especially in southern Australia. This trend contributes to an increased risk of bushfires, with the 2019-2020 bushfires being a devastating example, destroying an estimated 12.6 million hectares of land.
Rainfall Patterns and Sea-Level Rise
Rainfall patterns have shifted, with southern Australia experiencing decreasing rainfall during cooler months. The intensity of heavy rainfall events has increased by 10% or more since 1979. At the same time, Australia, as an island, is vulnerable to rising sea levels, which will impact its extensive coastline.
Deforestation and Carbon Emissions
Australia has the highest rate of deforestation in the developed world, releasing approximately 24 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere annually. This deforestation exacerbates climate change and contributes to the loss of vital ecosystems and wildlife habitats. While Australia has made commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has various initiatives in place, its progress has been criticized as insufficient. The country needs to strengthen its domestic emissions reductions and contribute more to international climate finance to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit.
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Australia's climate finance rating
Australia is experiencing the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, increased fire danger, and rising sea levels. The country's average temperature has increased by 1.44 ± 0.24 °C since national records began in 1910, and every decade since 1950 has been warmer than the previous one.
Regarding Australia's climate finance rating, the country has shown a commitment to providing high-quality climate finance to support developing countries in adapting to climate change and transitioning to renewable energy. Australia has pledged $3 billion towards global efforts between 2020 and 2025, with a focus on supporting countries in its region, particularly in the Pacific. Australia's climate finance activities are reported to prioritize vulnerable communities and consist mostly of grants.
However, Australia's climate finance contributions have been criticized as insufficient by several organizations. The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) rates Australia's climate targets, policies, and climate finance as "Insufficient," indicating that substantial improvements are needed to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit. Australia's international fossil fuel financing rating improved from "Highly Insufficient" to "Insufficient" after the country pledged to stop financing fossil fuel projects abroad within a year at COP28. Nevertheless, Australia's overall climate finance rating remained unchanged, and experts have called for a significant increase in the country's contribution to multilateral climate funds.
Australia's Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) ranking for 2025 places the country at 52nd, among the low-performing countries. While Australia has made notable policy progress and shown support for a fossil fuel phase-out, it remains a significant exporter of fossil fuels, and some major fossil fuel subsidies remain in place.
To improve its climate finance rating, Australia needs to increase the quantity of its contributions, set more ambitious emissions reduction targets, establish policies to achieve its objectives, and provide finance to support developing countries in their climate efforts.
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Climate projections for Australia
Australia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The country has already experienced increases in average temperatures, with more frequent hot weather, fewer cold days, shifting rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels.
The Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has developed climate projections for Australia, assessing eight distinct regions that will be affected differently. These projections are based on data from global climate models and greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions scenarios. The results are prepared for various climate variables and time periods, including 2030, 2050, 2070, and 2090.
According to these projections, hot days will become more frequent and severe across Australia. Seasonal rainfall changes will vary, with southern mainland Australia expected to experience decreases in winter and spring rainfall, while Tasmania is projected to have increased winter rainfall. Eastern Australia will continue to experience natural variability due to greenhouse gas emissions, with minor trends towards winter rainfall decreases.
The NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) project also provides regional climate projections, including temperature and rainfall predictions. Australia's climate change strategies include the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme, which establishes a framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, and consumption. The Safeguard Mechanism requires large emitters to reduce their net emissions over time. Additionally, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) finances low-emissions technology and renewable energy projects, while the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) funds clean energy initiatives.
Despite these efforts, Australia's climate action efforts have been rated as "Insufficient" by the Climate Action Tracker, indicating a need for stronger emissions reductions and increased climate finance contributions.
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Climate change and ecosystems
Australia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change projected for the next 50 to 100 years. The country's average temperature has increased by 1.44 ± 0.24 °C since national records began in 1910, with each decade since 1950 being warmer than the last. The year 2019 was Australia's warmest year on record, with the temperature 1.52°C above average.
The impacts of climate change on Australia's ecosystems are far-reaching. Australia's unique ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Wet Tropics, Kakadu Wetlands, and Australian Alpine areas, are all at risk. The Great Barrier Reef, for example, has experienced unparalleled rates of bleaching over the past 20 years. The Department of Climate Change projects a significant loss of biodiversity, with 90 Australian animal species identified at risk from climate change, including mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians.
Climate change is also affecting Australia's alpine ecosystems and biodiversity. Long-term monitoring has shown shifts in plant species composition and diversity, changes in flowering timing, and declines in endangered fauna such as the mountain pygmy possum. The ranges of the majority of Australia's eucalypt species are predicted to shrink in size over the next 60 years, with approximately 90% of areas currently containing these species expected to disappear or shift.
Aquatic ecosystems are also highly vulnerable to climate change. Between late 2015 and early 2016, mangroves along a 1,000 km stretch of coastline in the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia suffered significant mortality due to an underwater heatwave, drought, and a temporary drop in sea levels. Additionally, Australia's coastlines will experience erosion and inundation from rising sea levels, further impacting aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
Climate change is also causing changes in rainfall patterns, with southern Australia experiencing decreased rainfall during the cooler months, and increased rainfall in northern Australia since the 1970s. The intensity of heavy rainfall events has increased by 10% or more since 1979, and rainfall is expected to become heavier and more infrequent, with a higher likelihood during the summer months. These changes in rainfall patterns impact water supply, with drought conditions impairing both water quantity and quality, and increasing the risk of infectious illnesses due to water contamination.
Overall, Australia's ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with diverse implications for the country's environment, economy, agriculture, and public health.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's current climate rating is "Insufficient", with a "Critically insufficient" climate finance rating.
Australia has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and has various initiatives in place to track progress towards those commitments. The government is also developing a Net Zero 2050 plan, which aims to create jobs, reduce energy bills and boost renewable energy.
Australia is experiencing the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures, more frequent and severe droughts, fires, floods and extreme weather events. Sea levels are also rising, threatening housing and infrastructure.
The impacts of climate change are leading to 'climate anxiety', grief and depression across Australia. Heatwaves in Australia kill more people than all other natural disasters combined, and air pollution causes twice as many premature deaths as car accidents.
