The risks to Australia of a 3°C warmer world

This report synthesises the observed impacts of climate change on Australia and the risk to our future of the current global trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions. It focuses on the consequences of 3°C of global warming in the absence of greater mitigation strategies for four areas of importance to Australia’s future: our ecosystems, food production, cities and towns, and health and wellbeing. The impacts of those changes on the lives and wellbeing of Australians are discussed in detail.

The report gives the following recommendations:

1. Join global leaders in increasing actions for tackling and solving climate change as a matter of urgency
2. Develop strategies to meet the challenges of extreme events that are increasing in intensity, frequency and scale
3. Improve our understanding of climate impacts, including tipping points, as well as the compounding effects of multiple stressors at global warming of 2°C or more.
4. Systematically explore how our food production and supply systems should prepare for the challenges of climate change.
5. Expand our understanding of the impacts and risks of climate change for the health of Australians.
6. Introduce a suite of policies that would deliver deep and rapid cuts in emissions across the economy.
7. Scale up the development and implementation of next-generation low to zero greenhouse gas technologies.
8. Review Australia’s capacity and flexibility to take up innovations and technology breakthroughs for transitioning to a low GhG emission future.
9. Develop a better understanding of climate solutions through dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres strait islander peoples, particularly strategies that have helped people manage Australian ecosystems for tens of thousands of years
10. Continue to build adaptation strategies and greater commitment for meeting the challenges of change already in the climate system.