The Albanese Government is taking action so that the Australian Public Service (APS) can responsibly navigate a decarbonised future.
The Climate Risk and Opportunity Management Program will support staff across all agencies and departments to seize the opportunities of our transition to net zero, better prepare for a changing climate, and lower emissions.
When climate risk management is embedded in decision making you get better outcomes. It can ensure roads, homes and infrastructure are built to withstand more frequent heatwaves, increased rainfall or flooding and help departments and agencies identify opportunities to generate growth in new markets and trade sectors such as hydrogen and critical minerals.
The CROMP will offer specialist climate risk training, a management guide, and support service, upskilling the APS to identify and manage the impacts of climate change to government policies, programs, assets, and services.
It will help ensure that Commonwealth funding goes into projects that are resilient to a changing climate, and value for money because they take advantage of energy efficiency and affordable renewable energy.
The program supports the Roadmap for Net Zero where the government is leading by example through its commitment to achieve net zero by 2030 in government operations.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy said the program will futureproof outcomes while also maximising our bang for buck.
"A better-prepared public service will mean better results for communities, whether that be the uptake of affordable renewable energy in public buildings or supporting farmers to respond to droughts.
"While the former Coalition Government couldn't even acknowledge the climate science, the Albanese Government is building up the capacity of our institutions and positioning Australia to become a global leader in public sector climate risk and management."
The Australian Government's Approach to Climate Risk and Opportunity Management in the Public Sector 2023-26 details how the Australian Government will coordinate, report, evaluate and prioritise climate risk management at a whole-of-government level.
