The Copernicus annual global climate summary showed 2025 was the third hottest year on record, and that the past 11 years have been the 11 hottest years ever documented.

For the first time, Earth’s average temperature over three consecutive years (2023-2025) rose above 1.5°C of global warming – a threshold scientists warn dramatically increases the risk of extreme weather and human harm. 

Climate Councillor and leading scientist, Professor Lesley Hughes, said: “This latest climate data reveals what Australians are already experiencing: pollution from coal, oil and gas is heating our atmosphere and oceans, driving worsening extreme weather. Climate change is driving more explosive fire conditions, just like we’ve seen in Victoria this past week where sadly hundreds of homes were destroyed.

“Just a few weeks into 2026, Australians have also been pummelled by heatwaves in Southern Australia, and floods and a tropical cyclone in Queensland. All signs point to the need to act right now, not tomorrow. Every action to cut climate pollution helps secure a safer future for ourselves and our families.

“Australia is reducing pollution in our energy sector but we need to go harder and faster right across our economy. Our leaders can’t keep talking about this crisis and also rubber stamp new coal and gas approvals.’’

Climate Councillor and leading economist, Nicki Hutley, said: “Climate pollution is driving more dangerous and costly disasters today, and Australians are footing the bill. 

In 2025, the world’s third hottest year, we saw floods in Queensland, NSW, and storm damage from Cyclone Alfred that cost more than $2 billion in insured losses. “Even Australians who avoided flood, storm or fire damage will still pay ever higher insurance premiums.

“We also know that the cost of climate-fuelled disasters is wide ranging. Our research with PropTrack shows homes in flood zones are collectively worth about $42 billion less due to the risk of floods. We are also paying through lost farm production and higher food prices, lost productivity in sectors such as construction, and higher health costs.

“As an economist, the cost/benefit equation of climate action is a no-brainer. Letting climate change rip is far more expensive than the investment needed in renewable energy and storage, cleaner transport, and other sectors. We just need to get on with it and fast.”

Copernicus’ key climate records from 2025:

• In 2025, half of the global land area experienced more days than average with strong heat stress (days of 32℃ or above), the leading cause of global weather-related deaths;
• The Antarctic experienced its hottest annual temperature on record and the Arctic its second hottest;
• In February 2025, the combined sea ice cover from both poles fell to its lowest value since at least the start of satellite observations in the late 1970s; 
• January 2025 was globally the hottest January on record.

Locally Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology Data also showed:

• Australia endured its fourth-hottest year in 2025 since national records began in 1910, with large regions experiencing extreme heatwave conditions between January and March, and October to December;
• Australia’s average maximum temperature was 1.48°C above the 1961–1990 average, the equal fourth-hottest on record.; 
• Our nation has experienced nine of its 10 hottest years on record since 2013.

ENDS 

For interviews please contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

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The post Bronze Medal Nobody Wants: 2025 Earth’s Third-Hottest Year appeared first on Climate Council.

The report comes after devastating fires claimed the life of a firefighter, and destroyed dozens of homes across New South Wales and Tasmania in December 2025.

The report When Cities Burn: Could the LA Fires happen here? details how climate pollution, from burning coal, oil and gas, is turbo-charging dangerous fire conditions. This is making LA-style urban blazes increasingly likely in parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. 

The report from Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) also reveals more people than ever are living in harm’s way, with populations on the outskirts of our cities up 65% on average since 2001.

Former NSW Fire Commissioner and founder of ELCA, Greg Mullins said: “Our analysis shows that Australian cities increasingly face the potential for catastrophic fires like the ones in LA earlier this year. Those fires burned in winter driven by hurricane-strength winds. Climate pollution is now worsening fire weather conditions to the point that fires can sometimes be beyond the limits of modern firefighting and prevention capabilities.”

Mr Mullins said the report should serve as a wake-up call for all Australians living in capital cities: “If you live in suburbia and think bushfires don’t concern you, think again. Nearly every Australian capital city has a dangerous mix of preconditions for a catastrophic fire like LA: the possibility of extreme dry periods; severe winds; steep slopes; bushland near homes; and a history of destructive fires,” he said.

“It’s critical that we deal with the cause of more extreme weather by drastically cutting climate pollution while properly resourcing fire and land management agencies, and preparing suburban communities for rising risks.” 

Former Tasmania Fire Service Chief Fire Officer and ELCA member, Mike Brown said the December fires in Tasmania that have destroyed at least 21 homes should serve as a stark warning: “In otherwise mild conditions, extreme winds grounded firefighting aircraft and created perilous conditions on the ground for firefighters. 

“Climate change is supercharging fire conditions, including extreme winds that can tip a bad fire into a catastrophic one. Studies have shown the winds in Tasmania are increasing, particularly in recent decades with record 200km/h wind gusts recorded in 1998 and 2023.”  

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said the LA fires shocked the world because they shattered assumptions about when and where such fires can strike.

“Climate pollution has made unnatural disasters disturbingly commonplace, but the LA fires – which claimed 31 lives and destroyed 16,000 homes and buildings – still jolted the world. Australia shares many of the same dangerous conditions. If we don’t get climate pollution under control then this report shows many of our cities and communities are in the firing line.

“Every Australian in every city, suburb and town is already paying a price today for worsening fire conditions driven by climate pollution. Surviving and recovering from fires has cost us billions since 2009, and this report shows insurance premiums have jumped 78-138% since 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth bushfire danger zones.¹ 

“Households shouldn’t keep footing the bill for worsening fires while corporations selling coal, oil and gas drive up climate pollution and rake in profits. We must phase out these polluting fuels and speed up our shift to renewable energy while investing in preparing communities.”

ENDS 

Also available for interview: 

• Former Commissioner, ACT Emergency Services Authority, Maj Gen Peter Dunn (Retd)
• Report author and Director of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action Sean O’Rourke
• Case studies in Queensland, ACT, Melbourne and Sydney who have survived fires or are concerned about fires on their doorsteps.

For interviews please contact Jacqui Street 0498 188 528 or jacqui.street@climatecouncil.org.au 

or the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

ABOUT: 

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

Emergency Leaders for Climate Action: We are 38  former senior Australian fire and emergency service leaders who have observed how climate change is driving increasingly catastrophic extreme weather events that are putting lives, properties and livelihoods at greater risk and overwhelming our emergency services.

 ¹The full social and economic cost of Australian bushfires is yet to be comprehensively tallied. The 2009 Black Saturday fires were estimated at $7 billion and Black Summer cost Australia’s economy $10 billion.

The post Experts Sound Alarm for Australia on Urban Fire Risk like LA appeared first on Climate Council.

Australia’s move to clean energy is well underway, with records continually being knocked off. Throughout October, renewables supplied 51% of electricity in the National Electricity Market, reaching a peak share of 79% on 11 October.

AEMO’s roadmap makes it clear that accelerating the transition is the only viable path forward. We’re heading in the right direction, but the pace must increase.

Turbo-charging the roll-out of renewable generation, transmission and storage will not only secure a reliable electricity system for decades to come—it will also help keep power prices down as ageing coal plants retire and gas generation declines.

Climate Councillor and energy expert, Joel Gilmore, said: “We’ve got less time to waste than a Christmas shopper. Getting more clean energy to more households and businesses is the only way to cut climate pollution and protect ourselves against price volatility in the years ahead.

“AEMO’s roadmap shows that electricity consumption is expected to nearly double by 2050, particularly as industry shifts from gas to electricity and more data centres are built, so we can’t afford to be delayed or distracted in our roll-out of renewable energy.  In the most comprehensive study of our grid the evidence is clear: any delays to the transition will mean higher costs for consumers.

“The coal clunkers will have all but fallen apart or shut down in 10 years’ time; throwing money at coal-fired plants would be like investing in fax-machine companies. We need to focus on proven renewable technologies, and get on with the job of building out a cleaner, more reliable energy grid.”

Climate Council Senior Advisor, Ben McLeod, said: “The facts don’t lie. AEMO’s analysis shows that in the past four years, the capital cost of new grid-scale solar in Australia fell by almost 20%, and is expected to drop by at least another 25% by 2030. 

“Compare that to the capital cost of new coal-fired power stations with carbon capture and storage; it has risen by more than 50% over the past eight years.

“This is part of a global trend where investors are favouring renewable energy and supporting technologies over fossil fuels. It also shows the opportunities for Australia for new green export industries.

“We should trust the facts and double down on what’s working. Clinging to the past will only mean higher costs and more climate pollution.”

A Climate Council explainer about why power bill costs are up can be found HERE

ENDS 

For interviews please contact Warwick Green at the Climate Council Media Team: warwick.green@climatecouncil.org.au / 0439 647 144 

Or media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

The post Let’s rock’n’roll on renewable transition: grid operator appeared first on Climate Council.

The Australian Energy Market Commission’s latest modelling report that looks at prices in the National Electricity Market (NEM), shows:

• Power prices are projected to fall by 5% over the next five years, thanks to the building of renewables, storage and transmission.
• A one-year delay in wind or transmission projects could increase prices by up to 20%.
• Gas is an expensive power source that has pushed power prices up. Gas is projected to cause price increases after 2030, unless more renewables are built to replace ageing and unreliable coal power stations as they retire. 
• A faster rollout of renewable energy and storage can cut our reliance on gas, and reduce prices. 
• Households in every NEM state and territory will enjoy lower energy costs on average by 2035, thanks to rooftop solar, batteries and electrification of homes and vehicles. A household with solar and a battery that fully electrifies could reduce total energy costs – including power, fuel and gas – by more than 90%.

Climate Councillor and energy sector expert, Associate Professor Joel Gilmore, said: “This report makes it crystal clear: renewables are the only thing pushing power bills down — and the only path to lower power bills ahead. Every wind farm, solar project and battery we build pushes prices down.

“The modelling shows that power prices will fall by 5% over the next five years, because more renewables, storage and transmission are coming online. But if governments don’t get their skates on, by 2030 a greater reliance on gas will drive prices back up. Just a one year delay could add up to 20% to power prices.

“If we want cheaper power, the answer isn’t mysterious: we simply need to replace ageing unreliable coal with renewables and firm them with batteries. Our own sun and wind is the lowest cost option we have.”

Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, said: 

“Four million Aussies have put solar panels on their roofs to reduce bills and pollution. We need more solar, wind and storage to build the energy system of the future. The faster we replace expensive coal and gas the better off we will be.

“Australian households are doing it tough, with unreliable coal and expensive gas pushing up power prices in recent years. They are setting high prices while renewables are delivering by far the cheapest wholesale power in the grid.

“Trying to blame renewables for a mess caused by fossil fuels is as absurd as blaming umbrellas for rain. Renewables backed up by storage are the only thing protecting families from even higher bills, and now this report shows they will cut power prices in coming years too.’’

• Attached is a PDF with Climate Council analysis sorting power bill fact from fiction
• A Climate Council explainer about why power bill costs are up can be found HERE

ENDS

For interviews please contact: media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

The post Renewables cutting power prices, but gas could undo gains appeared first on Climate Council.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “This deal strengthens protections for our native forests, and provides a faster yes to responsible renewable energy projects that cut climate pollution. That will help protect communities from rising power prices and climate damage.

“But this 2025 law fails the climate test. All new coal and gas projects still get a free pass on climate pollution. In fact, the law prohibits the Environment Minister from considering a project’s climate pollution when assessing whether it should go ahead. That is a gaping hole in a law that should protect nature from the ravages of climate change.

“Let’s be clear: the ALP has a growing fossil fuel problem. While voters expect the Government to deal with pollution from coal and gas, the Government is turning a blind eye to billions of tonnes of pollution that more fossil fuel approvals will add to this problem. This is a political liability that isn’t going away – and many voters are planning to mark them down over it.”

New national polling from YouGov, conducted for the Climate Council, shows seven in 10 voters wanted the Government to address climate change in the new environment law, and 44 percent of 2025 Labor voters said they would be less likely to vote for the Government again if climate change was left out of this law.

Climate Councillor Professor Tim Flannery said: “The Greens and Labor have been able to secure real wins, including better protection for native forests and a clearer path for renewable energy. That shows Parliament can work across the aisle to find solutions for the community, rather than get bogged down in politicking.

“The Greens have blocked fast tracking of coal and gas which would have been a disastrous outcome – equivalent to pouring petrol on a fire.”

“But the job’s far from done. In the assessment pipeline sit 42 coal and gas projects that could release 8.7 million more tonnes of pollution yearly in Australia, undermining our climate targets, and progress.

“Until we better regulate fossil fuel projects, one fifth of Australia’s climate pollution, a safer future for us and our kids will fall further out of reach.”

Analysis: What our new Environment Laws mean for climate

Key inclusions		Labor’s initial bill	Greens/Labor negotiated outcome
Accelerate critical projects like responsible renewables, not polluting ones		Measures to streamline project approvals	Measures to streamline project approvals
		Could also speed up fossil fuel approvals.	Fossil fuel projects blocked from fast-track.
		Allows the coal and gas “water trigger” to be delegated to states.	No changes to the water trigger.
Measure and manage climate pollution in approvals		Direct emissions (scope 1 & 2) must be disclosed, but aren’t verified	Direct emissions (scope 1 & 2) must be disclosed, but aren’t verified
		Full emissions (scope 3) not disclosed.	Full emissions (scope 3) not disclosed.
		Climate pollution never considered in decisions, so coal and gas projects can be approved unchecked.	Climate pollution never considered in decisions, so coal and gas projects can be approved unchecked.
End land clearing and native forest logging loopholes to protect important carbon sinks		Native logging allowed without assessment.	Closes native forest logging loopholes within 18 months.
		Loopholes allow continuing land clearing without assessment.	Exemptions for high-risk land clearing will end.

ENDS 

For interviews please contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

The post Nature protected in law, but climate liability for ALP remains appeared first on Climate Council.

Australians expect the national environment law to protect people and nature from climate harm, not wave through more climate pollution, new YouGov research shows. 

The research shows:

• 68% of voters think the law should protect our environment from the impacts of climate change
• 70% want climate impacts considered when assessing fossil fuel projects
• Four in five Labor voters (78%) say it would be the wrong decision for the Prime Minister to exclude climate change in the environment laws, and
• Almost half of Labor voters say they will be less likely to vote for Labor if the laws don’t address climate change.

This polling lands at a pivotal moment with Australia set to take on the COP31 presidency and the Government looking to prove its climate credentials to both Australians and the international community.

YouGov Director, Public Affairs and Public Data, Paul Smith said: “The data shows that if the government delivers environment laws that ignore climate change, it risks being punished by up to 44% of its 2025 voters at the ballot box.”

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “Australians can see climate damage all around them, from bleached reefs to deadly heat and fires. They expect our environment laws to seriously consider climate pollution from new coal, oil and gas projects, and to curb projects that make the crisis worse. Anything less is a green light for more damage.”

Lock the Gate National Coordinator Carmel Flint said: “Australians want the Federal Government to keep oversight of big environmental decisions that affect us all. Our national environment law should prevent coal and gas mines from harming precious water resources like our rivers, springs and aquifers rather than leaving such decisions solely to state governments.” 

The polling comes as the Senate holds hearings into the proposed environment law reforms. Climate Councillor Tim Flannery, Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie are appearing on Friday 21st November, and available for comment. Lock the Gate Head of Research and Investigations George Woods appeared at the hearings on Thursday 20th. 

Polling methodology: 

• Source: Voter attitudes and expectations about national environment laws — YouGov Polling & Public Affairs, prepared for the Climate Council, the Sunrise Project and Lock The Gate, dated 20 Nov 2025.
• Sample: National sample n=3,783 voters, surveyed between 12 – 17 Nov 2025.
  

ENDS 

For interviews please contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

The post New polling: Any climate deal with the Coalition risks bleeding Labor’s base appeared first on Climate Council.

Walking away from net zero aligns with more than 3°C of global heating and would spell disaster for Australia’s climate, economy and household bills:

• Australian Government spending on disaster recovery would increase seven-fold by 2090.
• Productivity would take a $135-423 billion hit by 2063, with workers hampered by extreme heat.
• Deaths caused by heatwaves would increase by 440% in Sydney and 260% in Melbourne.
• Policy uncertainty would disrupt confidence and clarity for business, costing the economy $2 trillion in lost investment, weaker exports and lower growth over the next 24 years.
• A prolonged reliance on gas and coal could see $449 higher household power bills by 2030, compared to Australia’s current plan to build more renewables backed by storage. 
• In contrast, the renewables already in Australia’s grid reduced power bills by over $150 per household last year. 

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “This is a plan to let climate change rip. It’s deadly negligence that would leave Australians facing more fires, floods and heatwaves, while hiking up power bills for Aussie families.

“What the Coalition is really advocating for is a more dangerous future for all Australians. More floods in Taree and Grafton, more fire seasons like Black Summer, and the demise of the Great Barrier Reef. They’ve gone from “I don’t hold a hose, mate” to “let’s put fuel on the fire”.

“After a decade of denial, distraction and delay, the Coalition still doesn’t get it: You can’t win elections by ignoring voters who want meaningful climate action. If the Coalition keeps undermining the environment and the economy, they’re heading for net zero seats.”

Climate Councilor and energy expert Professor Joel Gilmore said: “Renewable power is already the lowest-cost form of new energy. Four million Australian households with rooftop solar know that. Switching to renewable power backed by storage will get power prices under control by reducing the need for expensive gas and unreliable coal. The alternative – propping up old, unreliable coal – is a recipe for higher costs, more climate pollution and greater risk of blackouts.”

“Every time the Coalition delays the clean energy shift, Aussies pay the price. Power bills go up and families are left exposed to the volatility of global coal and gas markets. 

“Australia has some of the best wind and solar resources on the planet. Harnessing them is our ticket to cheaper power, cleaner air and stronger exports. Pumping the brakes on clean energy would torch Australia’s economic advantages and shut us out of the industries of the future – from green metals to clean manufacturing. It’s reckless and self-defeating, squandering the jobs, investment and prosperity that should be ours.”

ENDS 

For interviews please contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

The post Coalition’s climate sabotage would cost every Australian appeared first on Climate Council.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said:  “Abandoning net zero means abandoning a safer future for Australians. It means worsening, climate-driven floods, fires and heatwaves. Communities will pay a high price, particularly in the regions.”

Climate Council Research shows abandoning net zero would:

• Reduce economic output by $135-423 billion by 2063, with workers hampered by extreme heat.
• Increase Australian Government spending on disaster recovery up to 7 times by 2090
• Make more than 1.3 million Australian homes (8.8%) likely uninsurable by 2100
• Double freight costs for regional communities in WA, NT And Qld
• Dent property values by more than half a trillion dollars by 2050

Ms McKenzie said,  “This is about more than just chaos in the Coalition. In the real world, a net zero backflip aligns with more than 3°C of global heating that would cost farmers and regional towns billions of dollars in damage. The Nationals must explain how they’ll pay for the soaring insurance premiums, recovery bills and freight costs when escalating disasters strike regional communities. 

“The Nationals aren’t standing up for the bush, or farmers – they are selling them out. While the Coalition flounders over climate basics we should focus on the opportunity to strengthen our national environment law – the EPBC Act. 

“The Government’s proposed reforms have a number of gaping problems: they fail to address climate pollution – the biggest threat to the environment; they will undermine our climate progress by denying the government power to limit climate pollution from massive fossil fuel projects; and they may speed up fossil fuel project approvals despite the harm they cause. Labor has a simple choice: partner with the climate wreckers, or stand with the millions of Australians who want our wildlife and the environment protected from climate harm.”

ENDS

For more on the consequences of abandoning Net Zero and climate targets: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/consequences-of-abandoning-net-zero/

For more on the ways that the EPBC could be fixed to address climate threats: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/epbc-fixing-australias-national-environment-law/

For interviews or background, please contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X

The post Nationals’ net zero backflip would escalate disaster costs for regional communities  appeared first on Climate Council.

New research from the Climate Council shows that abandoning net zero and Australia’s other climate targets, as advocated by members of the Federal Coalition, could unleash 6.3 billion tonnes of climate pollution, and aligns with 3°C of global heating. The analysis finds under this 3ºC scenario, Australia would face a future of relentless disasters and economic upheaval:

• 4 times the number of severe and extreme heatwave days
• 1.5 million Australians would be exposed to coastal flooding by 2050, and 3 million people by 2090
• Double the number of extreme fire days
• Vast regions becoming uninsurable

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “You can’t go forwards on nature by going backwards on climate. Right now, the Coalition is debating whether to oppose Australia’s foundational net zero target. Partnering with a party still struggling with climate denial would be a dangerous bet with Australia’s future.”

Ms McKenzie said the Coalition’s ongoing farcical debate on net zero and poor track record on climate shows it is incapable of delivering credible action on climate: “The Coalition is trapped in the dark ages, squabbling over the basics while the rest of the world races ahead with clean energy and stronger climate targets,” she said.

“Abandoning net zero would mean abandoning a safer future for Australians. It means supercharged, climate-driven floods, fires and heatwaves that are already hitting our communities hard, and the soaring cost of insurance premiums and recovery bills that come with them. 

“Farmers, tourism operators and regional towns would bear the brunt of worsening droughts and extreme weather. Coastal communities would face more flooding and damage to homes and infrastructure. Those in the Coalition advocating for scrapping net zero should answer how they plan to pay for the huge damage bill.

“A deal with the Coalition on our environment law reform could be worse than the current broken laws, and would damage the Albanese Government’s own climate credibility. 

“The Government’s proposed reforms have a number of gaping problems: they fail to address climate pollution – the biggest threat to the environment; they will undermine our climate progress by denying the government power to limit climate pollution from massive fossil fuel projects; and they may speed up fossil fuel project approvals despite the harm they cause. Partnering with the Coalition would only see the bill watered down further, dragging Australia’s climate progress backwards.

“Labor has a simple choice: partner with the climate wreckers, or stand with the millions who want our wildlife and the environment protected from climate harm.”

ENDS

For interviews please contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au or call 0485 863 063.

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Or follow us on social media: facebook.com/climatecouncil and twitter.com/climatecouncil

The post You can’t go forwards on nature by going backwards on climate. appeared first on Climate Council.

The report analysed more than two decades of property data and found homes in flood zones are collectively worth about $42 billion less due to the risk of floods, and:

• Homeowners are effectively paying a “disaster penalty” of about $75,000 for a typical 3-bed, 2-bath house. As climate-driven floods become more frequent and severe, more properties could face steeper penalties. 
• Households in Queensland and New South Wales are the hardest hit, followed by Victoria. 
• Overall rising property prices are masking the fact that flood-prone properties start from a lower value and experience slower growth.

Climate Councillor and economist Nicki Hutley said: “Our homes are our most prized assets but we’re increasingly being dealt a losing hand when it comes to worsening climate risks. This study finds of more than two million flood-prone homes, at least 70% are valued lower today due to flood risk.

“Even high value areas and prestigious inner city or coastal communities can experience losses of more than half a million dollars per flood-prone home compared to nearby properties not at risk. Flood risk is also deepening economic inequality, with some of the largest drops in value concentrated in lower income areas, and we can expect this to get worse unless we make deep cuts to climate pollution this decade.”

Climate Council’s CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “Last month the Federal Government’s own National Climate Risk Assessment warned us that Australia would face increasingly frequent and severe climate impacts in the future if climate pollution isn’t cut deeper and faster. This new report shows over a million Australian households are already losing out, as those living in flood-prone communities in Lismore, Taree, Townsville and the Hawkesbury sadly know too well. 

“Climate pollution is supercharging flood disasters, and we can see that’s dampening the value of flood-prone homes today. But it also costs everyone in rising repair costs, recovery costs and insurance premiums. The Australian Government must regulate large, polluting projects and stop new ones that are only making this situation worse by overhauling our national environment laws so coal and gas projects stop being waved through.

Suburbs with the greatest loss in property value

(Ranked by per cent of market value lost)

Houses 

Units

ENDS

For interviews please contact 

Climate Council 

Jacqui Street on 0498 188 528 / jacqui.street@climatecouncil.org.au
Or contact the Climate Council media team on media@climatecouncil.org.au / 0485 863 063.

REA Group

Sophie Flavell
Media & Partnerships Manager
M: +61 438 089 165

The post $42bn dent in Aussie home values, as climate fuels worsening floods appeared first on Climate Council.