Community based climate organisations from across the country are asking why the Albanese government has repeatedly delayed the release of the National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) – a critical report outlining the grim reality communities will face without necessary action to curb climate pollution.
The Albanese government is currently deciding how strong Australia’s 2035 Climate Target will be, which will guide Australia’s climate action for the next 10 years.
Groups warn that further delay to releasing the climate report risks undermining the integrity of Australia’s next climate target as it should be used to inform decision making, and that the Australian public have a right to be informed about the true scale and urgency of the climate risks ahead before the target is delivered.
The Government is due to submit the new target to the United Nations by the end of September.
Emma Bacon, Executive Director Sweltering Cities
“The NCRA is an incredibly important document that will shape how every level of government and every community plans for the future. We know that the report is scary, but that's not a reason to delay release, it's a reason to kick our climate response into gear.”
Location: Gadigal land (Sydney, NSW)
Nic Seton, CEO Parents for Climate
“Every parent deserves to know the risks our kids face in a changing climate and how we can protect them. When it comes to protecting our kids from harm, we expect the government to follow the best available science, so we're calling on the government to release the report without delay and use it to guide a strong, science-backed 2035 climate target."
Location: Gadigal land (Sydney, NSW)
Kate Wylie, Executive Director Doctors for the Environment
“When will the government tell Australians the truth about climate change and release the National Climate Risk Assessment?
“As someone involved with the consultation process in 2023 and 2024, it is high time that the government lets the rest of the country in on what climate change means for our health, our food supply and our environment.
“By delaying it looks like they have something to hide. It makes me worry that they will set a weak emissions reduction target, one that is lower than what is necessary to keep our communities safe and protect our health.
“Anyone with even a passing understanding of climate change knows that we need to reach net zero as soon as possible, and that we need a strong science backed 2035 target to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. If our target falls short it spells disaster for our environment and our health.
“As we seek to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific it is vital that our target protects these nations, whose very existence is being lost under a rising ocean.
“As doctors, we see the terrible burden that climate pollution, extreme heat and severe weather is having on our communities and our work. These events are driving more visits to GP clinics and hospitals, more ambulance call-outs, more demand for health services for both mental and physical illnesses.
“Let's rip off that bandaid and face the truth about climate change. Let's embrace the need to move on from our dependence on coal, oil and gas and quit fossil fuels to protect health.”
Location: Kaurna Country (Adelaide, SA)
Serena Joyner, CEO of Bushfire Survivors for Climate
''It would seem irresponsible to set climate targets without this information released to the public.''
"The Prime Minister and Treasurer held a Productivity Roundtable this week, but there is no bigger hit to productivity than escalating climate damage. It will always be a budget black hole until we can face the truth and do everything we can to respond. We are asked to face the reality of fire risk to our homes every year and to prepare accordingly. It's time for the government to take that medicine on the climate crisis."
Location: Dharug and Gundungurra Country (Blue Mountains, NSW)
Verity Morgan-Schmidt, CEO of AgZero
“WA agriculture, and our rural communities sit at the front line of climate risk, but also at the very heart of Australia’s resilience. We deserve nothing less than honest conversations, informed by the best available science and clearly communicated through a risk management lens.
The release of the National Climate Risk Assessment Report will assist us as a nation to squarely look our climate challenge in the eye and to take decisive steps forward to avoid the risks that cannot be managed, and manage the risks that cannot be avoided.”
Contact details:
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Jemimah Taylor 0478 924 425 or [email protected]