think climate. think change.
Australian Greenhouse Office, CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology, 2005
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The Australian Climate Change Science Programme 2004-2008 research agenda builds on the solid base of existing research that has given Australia prominence and recognition in the global climate change science community. Achievements of the Programme since 1989 are outlined in the partner to this booklet – Australian Climate Change Science Programme – Major Achievements 1989 – 2004.
The research undertaken by the Programme is a key element of Australia’s commitment under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Programme will maintain Australia’s world-class expertise in climate change science, and leadership of the research effort in the southern hemisphere. Without Australian research, there would be scant information about processes that are characteristic of the southern hemisphere that impact both the Australian and global climate. Northern hemisphere science is unlikely to answer some of the big questions for Australia – for example, the influence of our surrounding oceans on extreme climate events (droughts and bushfires, storms, cyclones and floods), and the cause of the 20 per cent reduction in rainfall in south-west Western Australia over the past 30 years.
The research Programme is designed to advance our understanding of these challenging questions, and to respond to stakeholder requests for an accelerated research effort to describe the implications of climate change for industry sectors, regions and the community. The development of this research agenda has benefited from input by business and industry stakeholders as well as the climate change science community.
The Programme will support the ongoing development of a national climate modelling capacity, maintaining our world-class position. It will support Australia’s standing in international forums, the development and maintenance of bilateral agreements, and the contribution of our scientists to key international processes – such as the preparation of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which will be published in 2007.
Importantly, this Programme targets policy-relevant research and will advance the frontiers of science to provide the best possible information to support decision-making on climate-related issues. The Programme underpins the capacity of governments, business and industry, and the community to understand and respond to climate change.
Advances in understanding of climate change and its likely impacts will be vital to the preparedness of Australia to respond and adapt.
