The release of Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) confirms the climate shocks that disaster-impacted communities have been warning of, and shows the need for urgent government action to ensure no one is left to shoulder these burdens alone.

Renew Australia for All - an alliance of 77 + organisations from across community, environment, and health organisations, as well as unions, clean industry and faith groups said it was time the government delivers solutions that meet the scale of the challenges we are already facing now, and help us better prepare for the future.

Renew Australia for All Campaign Manager, Sawsan Alfayadh, said: “Everyone deserves a safe home, secure work, a strong community, and a ready health system - so we can all survive and thrive through the increased heat, floods, fires and storms fuelled by climate change.

“The NCRA is a landmark document with the most complex and extensive analysis of the climate risks facing Australia. It’s a scary read, but vital in guiding governments to step up with more community, economic and environmental support.

“If the Federal government responds correctly to what the NCRA is telling us, we can make this happen. We know what the solutions are - and it is crucial for the safety of our communities and our economy that we act now to implement them.

"MYEFO later this year and next year's Federal Budget are critical opportunities to start to implement these solutions,” she said.

Local people, community organisations, social services and local governments have been leading the response to climate shocks with insufficient resources, while also enduring the risks: hot homes, compounding disasters, higher demand for services, dangers at work and more. 

Renew Australia for All is calling for comprehensive investments and regulation for climate adaptation across all Commonwealth departments including for: 

➢    Healthy Homes that keep people safe and comfortable as summer temperatures rise and disasters become more frequent. This means updating the National Construction Code so that new homes are built to keep people safe from forecast climate impacts, as well as upgrading existing homes so they remain safe and affordable, including by supporting home energy upgrades for renters and setting minimum standards for rental properties.

➢    Resilient Communities by expanding and reforming the Disaster Ready Fund to support community-facing and community-led organisations and local governments to continue delivering essential climate resilience work and fill emerging gaps for people most at risk.

➢    Safe Work in a changing climate by developing new WHS regulations for extreme heat, air quality, and climate disasters, so everyone makes it home safe from work.

➢    A Resilient and Ready Health System by finally funding the implementation of the National Climate and Health Strategy – so that we have the necessary investment and support for our health workforce who are already on the frontlines of heatwaves, flood, fire, storms and more.

The NCRA shows climate hazards will escalate – the Federal Government cannot leave communities to shoulder the risks alone. The federal government controls many of the levers for systems-wide adaptation and the capacity to fund adaptation and resilience at the scale needed.

According to a recent Climate Change Authority (CCA) report, back-to-back disasters have cost the Australian economy $2.2 billion in the first half of 2025 alone.

The report also predicts that by 2050, extreme weather events are projected to cost over $35 billion a year, an average of approximately $1,000 per Australian. This cost includes direct damages, insured and uninsured losses and the cost of government payments for recovery.

“We need to urgently act to make our housing and infrastructure stronger and more resilient, ensure our health systems and workplaces are ready to cope with heatwaves, floods and other climate impacts,” Sawsan said.

“We also need to empower our communities to lead solutions that reflect our needs and strengths.

“Now is the time to move this critical issue to the front burner, so we can keep everyone in Australia safe in a warming world,” she said.

Quotes from Renew Alliance Partners:

Annie Butler, Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said: “Time and time again, nurses and midwives have shown their incredible resilience, going above and beyond to keep people safe during extreme weather events, like floods, fires and heatwaves.

“Our communities need a system that matches resilience and can better support that resilience, one that is equipped, funded and can stand strong alongside them as climate impacts intensify.

“That’s why funding the National and Climate Change strategy is crucial, so our communities, particularly those most vulnerable to climate-related health risks, have the resources and support they need to prepare, respond and recover from the impacts of extreme weather events. Government must work with us to ensure every Australian has access to the support to stay safe and healthy, as the climate continues to change.”

Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate, said “As parents, we want nothing more than to know our children are safe — but climate change is putting that basic security in danger. The National Adaptation Plan and National Climate Risk Assessment present a confronting challenge, a challenge that we welcome to ensure our children can thrive.

“Climate adaptation is about more than surviving — it’s about making sure every child can thrive. We must prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all children, from heat-resilient homes to community services that protect their health and education. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and stable environment and that means acting now to adapt to the climate impacts already unfolding around us.”

Niki Gill, Uniting NSW.ACT’s Operations Manager North Coast, Recovery Support Services: "Uniting has been working closely with impacted communities on the North Coast to recover following the terrible impacts of the 2022 floods, including immediate support and case management to over 4,500 residents placed in Emergency Accommodation. 

“Uniting Recovery Support Service has also been required to stand up and stand down immediate service provision in Recovery Centres after further disasters on the Far and Mid North Coast following Tropical Cyclone Afred and the Mid North Coast floods this year. Climate change means this is an ongoing issue and the community is disaster fatigued.

“We need the Federal Government to step in to support communities to prepare and adapt – not just respond until they simply can’t anymore.”

Alice Salomon, Head of Advocacy, Uniting NSW.ACT said: "At Uniting, we’re already seeing how disasters and shocks from climate change are impacting the people we serve – floods and fires have disrupted our services and the lives of our staff and clients, and we are increasingly having to do welfare checks on clients on extremely hot days.

“Unfortunately, we are facing a future where cascading crises will exacerbate and entrench disadvantage if nothing is done. As a major community services provider, we are stepping up to meet the needs of our people and we need the Federal government to back us in with resources and invest in climate adaptation and resilience."

Emma Bacon, Executive Director, Sweltering Cities said: “Extreme heat is already leaving people sick in their homes, unsafe at work, and struggling to afford basic cooling. The National Climate Risk Assessment makes it clear that these threats will only intensify. We need urgent investment in safe homes, resilient communities and strong health systems so no one is left behind in a hotter, harsher climate.

“Failure to act means hundreds of thousands, or even millions more Australians will be left to deal with the stress and dangers of an unstable and unprecedented climate without” adequate support. For us, that's unacceptable."