The Chair of the Coasts and Climate Change Council, Professor Tim Flannery, has submitted the Coasts and Climate Change Council’s end of term report to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet.

In its report, the Council suggests an urgent need for Australian Government leadership on coastal adaptation to drive collaboration and consistent approaches across all levels of government. It proposes a 10-year national coastal adaptation agenda be defined.

 

It  recommends that the Australian Government:

  • As a matter of urgency define and progress a 10 year national agenda to ensure that Australia is positioned to address the significant near, medium and long term risks facing the well being of our coastal regions from the impacts of climate change.
  • Take a leadership role in driving the science and information base for decision-support tools; developing national standards for risk assessment; tackling legal reform to enhance national consistency and to reduce liability risks; and in the provision of technical support for local governments who are at the cutting edge of impacts on communities, property owners and businesses.
  • Recognise the need to improve collaboration and delivery of outcomes across a range of federal, state and local government agencies and in so doing align adaptation to climate change in coastal regions with national micro-economic reform, social equity, regional development and population sustainability agendas.
  • Continue the appointment of the Coasts and Climate Change Council for at least 12 months to assist in communicating the issues facing Australia from the impacts of climate change on the coast, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and community groups on their issues and needs, and providing advice the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency on ways to improve coastal adaptation to climate change.

The report is available at http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/australias-coasts-and-climate-change/adapting/coasts-and-climate-change-council/cccc-report.aspx