Today the Albanese Government finally released Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment.
- photosrockhampton
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) says the National Climate Risk Assessment, released today, must pave the way for stronger climate action – especially rapid reductions in carbon emissions.
The report paints an alarming picture for Australia’s environment, health, safety, and economy, assessing the impacts of a 1.5°C, 2°C, and 3°C rise in global temperatures from pre-industrial levels.
At all warming levels, the report warns of severe risks and catastrophic consequences if Australia does not do more to cut climate pollution. It highlights that:
Climate change will disrupt daily life. “Changes in Australia’s climate will not occur gradually or smoothly. Reaching potential climate and ecological tipping points is very likely to result in abrupt changes.”
Communities face compounding threats. “It is likely we will experience more compounding, cascading and concurrent hazards,” such as heavy flooding after a tropical cyclone, or bushfires and worsening air pollution following extreme heatwaves.
The world has already warmed by 1.3°C and is on track for 2.7°C by the end of the century.
EnvA Director, Dr Coral Rowston, said the findings must be a wake-up call for government:
“This climate risk assessment paints a dire picture for Australia if we don’t take immediate steps to reduce emissions. Every tenth of a degree of warming means more frequent and severe floods, heatwaves, fires and storms – and we are already seeing these disasters play out nearly every week around the world.
“Australia is not immune, and neither is Queensland. In just the past five years, our state has endured multiple Reef bleaching events, devastating storms, widespread flooding, and unprecedented catastrophic bushfires.
“We reiterate our call on the Albanese Labor Government to set a science-based 2035 emissions reduction target that truly aligns with the Paris Agreement – one that achieves close to net zero by 2035. Even a 75% cut by 2035 would still leave us on track for dangerous warming above 2°C.
“Yes, we must adapt to a hotter, harsher climate – but we also have to tackle the cause, not just the symptoms. The single most impactful step government can take is to stop approving new coal and gas projects. There are already enough approved fossil fuel projects to see us through the transition to clean energy.”
The Australian Government is expected to release its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) within days.
“I hope this risk assessment prompts the government to protect Australians and our environment, rather than bowing to the fossil fuel industry,” Dr Rowston said.
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