Today's Home Safe report from the Climate Change Authority is a timely and sobering reminder of the urgent need to prepare our communities for the worsening impacts of climate change.
Sweltering Cities welcomes the report's recognition that investment in climate adaptation and resilience pays dividends – not just financially, but in protecting our health, homes, and livelihoods. As the report makes clear: every dollar spent on adaptation can deliver significant benefits.
"This report should be required reading for anyone considering approving new coal and gas projects," said Emma Bacon, Executive Director of Sweltering Cities. "It shows just a portion of the devastating cost of climate change to Australians, especially those living in hot homes, sweltering suburbs, and working in dangerous conditions."
"Through our work speaking to thousands of people facing extreme heatwaves and deadly summers across the country, we can already see the severe costs as people's mental and physical health suffer. Too many people are dreading summers and the disasters ahead."
"The report rightly highlights that climate hazards don't affect everyone equally. Without urgent action, the financial and health burden of climate change will fall hardest on people with the fewest resources: those in low-income households, poor-quality housing, and frontline jobs. Equitable adaptation isn't a 'nice to have' option; it's essential," said Emma Bacon, Executive Director of Sweltering Cities.
Sweltering Cities supports key recommendations including:
Regular National Climate Risk Assessments and legislated National Adaptation Plans;
Mandatory minimum energy efficiency standards for rental housing;
Integration of adaptation planning across sectors such as health, housing, and justice;
Reforming the National Construction Code to meet the reality of climate extremes.
"These are practical and overdue reforms," said Ms Bacon. "We particularly welcome the focus on protecting people most at risk – including renters, outdoor workers, and people in poorly designed homes – and ensuring every level of government plays its part."
However, the report also makes clear that adaptation has limits. "For many households, the risks they face may be extreme or unavoidable," it notes.
Australia must not rely on adaptation alone while continuing to expand fossil fuel projects that fuel the climate crisis. Studies have shown that even some individual coal and gas developments in Australia will push global temperatures higher and expose hundreds of thousands more people to deadly heat by the 2050s.
"We already face massive adaptation challenges," said Ms Bacon. "Without a credible plan to phase out coal, gas and oil, every future Adaptation Plan or Climate Risk Assessment will paint an increasingly alarming picture. We must act now – not just to adapt to climate change, but to stop making it worse."
