The University of Tasmania's Climate Futures research group will lead a major new project to map how Tasmania's climate is likely to change over coming decades, after securing 1.8 million dollars in funding from the Tasmanian Government.
The project will be led by climate researcher Dr Kathleen Beyer, a specialist in climate impacts and adaptation at the University of Tasmania. Working with a multidisciplinary team, the project will draw on and combine expertise in climate modelling, science communication, geography, and marine and Antarctic research to deliver fine scale projections tailored for Tasmania's unique landscapes.
The project will produce detailed projections showing how Tasmania's climate is likely to evolve, giving government, industry and communities clear evidence to guide planning, build resilience, and manage climate-related risks across the state.
"Tasmania's climate is shaped by our complex terrain and by the powerful influence of the surrounding ocean. Understanding how these systems change over time is central to good planning," Dr Beyer said.
"This funding gives us the capacity to produce high resolution projections that can support decision making in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, natural resource management and community safety. It is a significant opportunity for Tasmania to have contemporary climate information that genuinely reflects local conditions."
The new projections will expand on the earlier Climate Futures for Tasmania project, which delivered the state's first fine scale modelling in 2010. The updated work will draw on advances in global modelling data, computing power and approaches for representing regional climate processes.
Dr Beyer said the team will work closely with users across the state to ensure the projections are practical, accessible and ready for real world application.
"We want these projections to be understood and used by the people who rely on them. That means strong communication, transparent methods and a focus on practical outcomes," she said.
The project will begin later this year and is scheduled for completion in late 2027.
