Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation)

Therefore, to protect livelihoods, business and the environment, these challenges require federal programs and policies to implement adaptation measures and co‑ordination between all levels of government. The object of this Bill is to establish a framework to address the challenge of climate change by legislating risk assessments that inform our preparation for climate change impacts and assist Australia to adapt to climate change.

The Authority must prepare the National Climate Change Risk Assessment for the Minister no later than 31 December 2025 and all following assessments must be completed no later than 5 years after the previous National Climate Change Risk Assessment was published.

The Plan will set out the strategies, policies and proposals to protect against and mitigate risks as identified in the National Climate Change Risk Assessment. The plan must provide a detailed timeframe for its implementation, specify funding mechanisms and structure, and identify key indicators to be used in the regular monitoring of its progress and its objectives.

This Part outlines the guiding principles that must be considered in making decisions under the Bill. The guiding principles ensure that decision-makers consider the best available information on the impacts of climate change and the management of associated risks.

In response, the Minister for Climate Change must determine a National Adaptation Plan that reflects the risks outlined in the Assessment. The requisite Authority must evaluate the implementation of these plans annually. Further, the Bill imposes obligations on the Commonwealth to report about the costs of climate change, publicly release response about the impacts of climate change and to consider climate change when making legislation.