Today marks one year since the Australian government released its National Climate Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Plan.

These documents were the federal government’s first attempt to identify what is at risk from climate change and how we can adapt to its impacts. The assessment identified 63 nationally significant climate risks – such as risks to the financial system and surging disaster recovery costs – across all sectors and regions.

It came after several other countries – including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and New Zealand – conducted similar but legislated climate risk assessments.

The Australian Climate Service was provided with A$22.9 million to complete the National Climate Risk Assessment over two years. More than 250 climate risk experts and authors worked on it, producing more than 70 documents detailing the most urgent threats to our nation.

However, the final report was delivered months later than expected. And in the 12 months since its release, Australia has taken little concrete action to address these urgent climate-related risks.

Weather on a warming planet

In 2025, despite the arrival of a La Niña weather pattern that typically reduces global temperatures, the world experienced its third hottest year on record.

Australia also endured its fourth warmest year ever and its hottest ocean temperatures on record. This brought extreme heat during the 2025-26 “whiplash summer”, where flash floods were quickly followed by devastating bushfires that claimed one life and engulfed more than 500 properties – the worst damage since the 2019-20 Black Summer.

Globally, the northern 2026 summer saw deadly heatwaves and wildfires ravage parts of Europe and the US.........

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