Sustainability-CZ

Climate change information

Information about Australia's past, current and future climate helps industries, governments and communities plan for and adapt to a variable and changing climate.

The chalenge

Changes to the climate system have occurred and are likely to continue. The international scientific community accepts that increases in greenhouse gases due to human activity have been the dominant cause of observed global warming since the mid-20th century. Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system. Australia's changing climate represents a significant challenge to individuals, communities, governments, businesses, industry and the environment. Australia has already experienced increases in average temperatures over the past 60 years, with more frequent hot weather, fewer cold days, shifting rainfall patterns and rising sea levels. More of the same is expected in the future.

Our response

The most comprehensive climate projections for Australia We worked with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to produce the most comprehensive set of climate change projections for Australia ever released. Map of the eight regions or 'clusters' for which climate change information has been assessed The projections are presented for eight distinct regions of Australia, each of which will be affected differently by climate change. The projections are based on data from up to 40 global climate models, developed by institutions around the world, that were driven by four greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions scenarios. Results have been prepared for 21 climate variables (both on the land and in the ocean) and for four 20-year time periods (centred on 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2090).