National Framework for Climate Change Science
The National Framework for Climate Change Science identifies national climate change science priorities for the coming decade and sets out ways to harness our full science capacity to address them.
It will build on the achievements of Australia's climate change science community and enhance future efforts by focusing Australia's climate science expertise on an agreed set of national priorities. It will also ensure that the science delivers what decision makers need.
Why we need it
Climate change science has been and will continue to be essential in supporting the three pillars of the Australian Government’s climate change policy: action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, action to adapt to climate change that we cannot avoid, and action to help shape a global solution.
An Australian capability is important because science generated in the northern hemisphere, where most research is done, will not provide all the information needed for Australian decision making.
Climate change science is entering a new phase of complexity as decision makers and the public demand greater insight into likely impacts and the effort required for mitigation and adaptation.
Australian Climate Change Science Program
The department administers the Australian Climate Change Science Program to maintain Australia’s core research capacity to underpin the delivery of the National Climate Change Science Framework.
The Australian Climate Change Science Program addresses the following key themes:
- understanding the key drivers of climate change in Australia
- improved climate modelling system
- climate change, climate variability and extreme events
- regional climate change projections, and
- international research collaboration.