Anthony Albanese says a landmark report on the climate risks confronting Australia is a “wake-up call” that reinforces the need for “serious” action to combat global heating. The prime minister said the findings of the national climate risk assessment would inform the government’s soon-to-be released 2035 emissions target, while stressing the need to plan for an “orderly” energy transition to avoid losing public support for climate action.
Led by the Australian Climate Service, the inaugural assessment modelled the impact of climate-related hazards such as heatwaves, drought and floods on different parts of the community, economy and environment under three global heating scenarios: above 1.5C, above 2C and above 3C.Heat-related mortality in Australia is predicted to rise with global warming
Showing the modelled increase in heat-related mortality for selected Australian cities under different global warming levels: 1.5, 2 and 3 degree increases.
The assessment also models the economic impact, estimating the direct cost of floods, bushfires, storms and cyclones across the states and territories could reach $40bn a year in 2050 – even under a 1.5C scenario.The delays in publishing the climate risk assessment prompted accusations the government was trying bury the findings, which sources familiar with its contents had described as “intense and scary”.
“Climate change action and various elements will go through sort of various iterations of fashion – but the science won’t change, the economics won’t change, and this government’s commitment won’t change,” he said.“What this report shows is that a 2035 target of 65% means significant potential for loss of life and strain on health systems, more extreme heat, more devastating floods, crop failures, fires, global insecurity and the death of every coral reef around the world,”.
Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/15/millions-of-australians-at-risk-from-rising-sea-levels-and-heat-deaths-could-soar-landmark-climate-report-warns
