CLIMATE: New report - Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change on Australia's Physical Infrastructure

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has conducted an assessment of the impacts of climate change on Australia’s physical infrastructure.

The study noted that most sectors of Australia’s physical infrastructure were reasonably well-placed to respond to climate change impacts. The most vulnerable were the energy and water sectors. The study identified that major potential impacts on physical infrastructure often arise from combinations of projected climatic events – including drought, bush fires and temperature extremes on energy generation and distribution systems; and extreme rainfall, sea level rise and storm surge on low-lying coastal development. It suggests drainage, storm water and sewerage infrastructure will need critical examination where significant rainfall intensity is projected.

Key recommendations from the study include that the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) should convene a National Climate Change Adaptation Taskforce (NCCAT) to develop National Climate Change Adaptation Guidelines; that risk assessment studies should be undertaken for existing critical infrastructure vulnerable to the effects of climate change; and that comprehensive strategic planning controls should be applied to future critical infrastructure installations vulnerable to climate change.

Download the Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change on Australia's Physical Infrastructure report or view the media release.