Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment has painted a stark picture of escalating climate threats, prompting leading advocacy groups and frontline survivors to call for more ambitious action, stronger emissions targets, and greater financial responsibility from major polluters.
The National Climate Risk Assessment found that more than 1.5 million Australians could face sea level rise and coastal flooding risks by 2050, while the annual economic cost of climate change has already reached $38 billion.
With the government’s Disaster Ready Fund providing just $200 million per year, groups argue that the current investment is deeply inadequate.
Research shows that every dollar spent on disaster risk reduction yields up to $10 in benefits over a decade, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of adaptation.
Yet, only a small fraction of recent federal disaster funding has gone to prevention and resilience.
Stakeholders across emergency services, community advocacy, and impacted Australians are united in their call: decisive, people-focused action, strong emissions reduction, and greater financial accountability from major polluters are needed to protect Australia from worsening climate risks.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is urging the federal government to “put people, equity and inclusion first” in setting Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target, following the release of the National Climate Risk Assessment and its detailed account of threats facing communities nationwide.
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said: “This report confirms what people on the frontlines of climate change have been experiencing for years.
“Climate change is not a distant problem – it’s here, it’s getting worse, and it’s hurting the lives, health and livelihoods of people right across Australia.”
Dr Goldie emphasised that climate risks are not evenly borne, with First Nations peoples, disadvantaged communities, and those with health conditions facing the greatest dangers: “Those with the fewest resources to prepare, adapt and recover are bearing the brunt of worsening heatwaves, floods, fires and storms.”
ACOSS highlighted urgent needs: rapid home energy upgrades for renters and vulnerable homeowners, funding for local community climate resilience hubs, and stronger community sector capacity in disaster response.
The group is also advocating for legislative changes to ensure regular review and publication of the Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan.
Dr Goldie stressed: “Climate change action is about protecting people and communities – their homes, health, incomes and futures.
“If governments act decisively now, we can reduce harm, safeguard communities and create a fairer, more resilient Australia.”
The National Climate Risk Assessment also sparked calls for a Climate Compensation Fund, with the newly formed Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance insisting that major coal, oil and gas corporations contribute to the spiralling costs of adaptation.
Polling by Essential Media shows strong public support: 62 per cent of Australians believe polluting corporations should pay for climate damage, and 70 per cent agree the government should hold them more responsible for climate impacts.
Bushfire and flood survivors shared harrowing accounts of loss: “When we talk of loss it’s the dollar figure that is often discussed but we are different people now, sleepless nights, anxiety, PTSD.
“All through this we have worked, paid taxes and tried to minimise our footprint on the planet while fossil fuel companies post record profits pay minimal tax and increase the risk of us losing our rebuilt home.
“It is families just like mine who are shouldering the burden of climate change and we are close to breaking,” said Jan Harris, a bushfire survivor from Reedy Swamp, NSW.
Advocates argue for a levy on coal, oil and gas companies — potentially raising $46 billion per year — to fund urgent community adaptation and resilience.
“The levy should get paid into a climate compensation fund to cover the increasingly expensive damage and chaos the big polluters products cause. Make big polluters pay. It’s only fair,” said Jack Egan, Rosedale, NSW.
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action responded to the Assessment with renewed urgency.
Greg Mullins AO, former Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW, stated: “The National Climate Risk Assessment predicts dangerous fire weather days will happen more often, with longer fire seasons and the potential for megafires in southern and eastern parts of the nation — at least until mid-century, when forested areas may start to change into grasslands.
“Our communities are in the firing line and our emergency responders are struggling to cope.”
Mullins called for the strongest possible emissions target by 2035 —“as close to net zero as possible”— citing projected increases in dangerous fire weather, coastal flooding, and economic costs.
Other former emergency leaders underscored the need for a fully funded national adaptation strategy, warning that “ignoring or acting timidly on this siren call…will represent a serious failure in national leadership”.
As the government prepares to set the nation’s 2035 emissions target, the message is clear — Australia’s response should be ambitious, equitable, and fit for the challenges ahead.