Queensland’s climate is changing. Adaptation action is essential for the continued prosperity of our communities, our environment and our economy. The Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy 2017–2030 (PDF, 2MB) (Q-CAS) provides a framework to ensure Queensland becomes more climate resilient and manages the risks associated with a changing climate.
The Q-CAS is centred around a partnership approach that recognises that climate change is everyone’s responsibility, and that a collaborative approach is needed to ensure resilience is embedded in Queensland’s diverse economies, landscapes and communities.
The Queensland Government is committed to working closely with communities, industry and local governments across different regions and sectors to strengthen their resilience and support their decision making and adaptation actions by providing them with the latest science, information and resources.
The Q-CAS is delivered across four pathways:
People and knowledge
Empower best-practice climate science, education and engagement to support climate risk management within Queensland’s communities.
Programs and resources
The Queensland Future Climate Dashboard provides free and easy access to climate projection data for Queensland.
Climate risk management tools are available to help households (PDF, 7MB) and small businesses (PDF, 10MB) through the climate risk assessment process and support adaptation decisions.
The Queensland Water Modelling Network (QWMN) is supporting a number of projects to help understand the potential impacts of climate change on water supply and security.
State government
Embed the consideration of climate adaptation into policies, regulations and procedures, and address risk to asset and services.
Programs and investments
Queensland Climate Ready (QCR) is a multi-year program delivering a consistent, whole-of-government approach to climate risk management across policies, processes, investments, services and actions.
The Queensland State Planning Policy (PDF, 359KB) considers matters relating to climate change adaptation and emissions mitigation, including a state interest guideline for natural hazards, risk and resilience.
Climate risks to transport infrastructure are being managed through the Climate Change Risk Assessments for Infrastructure Projects.
Queensland Government is committed to strengthening disaster resilience so our communities are better equipped to deal with the increasing prevalence of natural disasters. To date, Regional Resilience Strategies have been delivered for the Central West and Mary regions.
Queensland government has developed a range of state-wide risk assessments that can support future decisions including the Queensland State Heatwave Risk Assessment 2019 and the Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for Queensland.
Local governments and regions
Partner with local governments and other regional organisations to develop regional adaptation solutions, including embedding climate risk in planning and development.
Actions and investment
The Queensland Government is partnering with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to support Queensland local councils manage their climate risk through the Queensland Climate Resilient Councils (Q-CRC) and QCoast2100 programs.
As part of the QCRC program, the LGAQ has developed a draft Climate Risk Management Framework for Queensland Local Government.
Sectors and systems
Assist sector leaders to collaborate with government agencies, local governments and other stakeholders to identify adaptation needs and to priorities adaptation activities.
Plans and implementation
Sector Adaptation Plans prioritise climate change adaptation activities across key sectors and systems. Seven plans have been developed through collaborations with sector stakeholders, including:
- Agriculture Sector Adaptation Plan (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems Climate Adaptation Plan (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Built Environment and Infrastructure Sector Adaptation Plan (PDF, 1MB)
- Emergency Management Sector Adaptation Plan (PDF, 3.3MB)
- Human Health and Wellbeing Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PDF, 1.8MB)
- Queensland Tourism Climate Change Sector Adaptation Plan (PDF, 3.3MB)
- Small and Medium Enterprise Sector Adaptation Plan (PDF, 3.1MB).
The Sector Adaptation Planning Plus (SAP+) program is supporting the implementation of seven exciting projects based on high-priority recommendations of the Sector Adaptation Plans.
The Drought and Climate Adaptation Program, managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is helping farmers to better manage drought and climate impacts.