An Australia Day address from Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley to the international Climate Adaptation Summit will commit Australia to developing a new National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy and to joining the UK and more than 118 countries in the Call for Action on Raising Ambition for Climate Adaptation and Resilience.
Addressing tomorrow's virtual Summit hosted by the Netherlands, Minister Ley will underline Australia's commitment to working with the international community and to building on our world leading collaboration with scientists, communities and traditional owners to act and adapt to an already changing climate.
These actions are part of a range of Morrison Government initiatives building on existing climate resilience and adaptation strategies that range from world leading climate science, to disaster and drought resilience programs that protect our unique ecosystems.
They include an initial $12.9 million investment towards establishing Climate and Resilience Services Australia, a new capability that will connect and leverage the Commonwealth's extensive climate and natural disaster risk information to further prepare for and build resilience to natural disasters.
Australia will also commit later this year to the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment, a flagship initiative of this year's COP26 UN climate change conference in Glasgow, putting the tools and know how into the hands of the investment community and ensuring the infrastructure we build is fit for future climate conditions.
Adaptation and resilience is also a key priority for the next phase of the $149 million National Environmental Science Program (NESP), providing national leadership in climate, threatened species and environmental research.
As Australia prepares for COP26 in November 2021, Minister Ley said the nation is deeply committed to collaboration that accelerates adaptation to protect our communities and our planet.
"We are joining global partnerships and taking the lead in building resilient communities," Minister Ley said.
"Climate adaptation is about taking practical actions to help our environment, our communities and our economy deal with the impacts of climate change that are already taking place.
"We are focussed on the steps we can take now and in the future to create a more resilient Australia.
"The Morrison Government's commitment to establishing Climate and Resilience Services Australia is an example of bringing together our world-leading climate and natural disaster information and expertise into a national capability.
"Climate adaptation is a top priority across all hubs in our upcoming NESP Programs.
"For all the work we are doing, we know that the challenges we face are growing and the development of a new National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy throughout 2021 will provide an important roadmap to meet these future challenges.
"Together we will encourage greater climate adaptation ambition, finance and coordination."
