Monday 15 / September / 2025
Sydney: Rising oceans and flooding caused by climate change will threaten the homes and livelihoods of over a million Australians by 2050, a report warned on Monday.
The National Climate Risk Assessment also warned that fatalities from heat-related illness will soar.
Australia will endure more frequent and extreme climate events, often happening simultaneously, which will put pressure on industry, services and infrastructure, the report found.
The report revealed that rising temperatures will have "cascading, compounding, concurrent" impacts on life in the country that is home to some 27 million people.
"We are living climate change now," Climate Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement. "It's no longer a forecast, a projection or prediction — it is a live reality, and it's too late to avoid any impacts."
Millions at risk
The independent report found that 1.5 million people living in coastal areas will be at risk of sea level rise and coastal flooding by 2050.
By the year 2090, around three million people will be at risk.
"Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today, but it's clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come," Bowen said.
Australia wants to cut carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Bowen said the government would soon announce an "ambitious and achievable" emissions reduction aim for 2035.
