The Report presents the findings of the first pass national assessment of the risks of climate change for the whole of Australia’s coastal. It comprises several sections that are downloadable separately:
Executive summary (250 KB)
Chapter 1 (250 KB) provides an overview of the geological history of Australia’s coastal zone and explores how past variability could inform our understanding of future change. The four broad coastal regions which emerge from this history and the importance of the coastal zone are described.
Chapter 2 (250 KB) discusses the science that supports understanding of climate change risks in the coastal zone. It brings together the science of climate change and geomorphology to understand how coastal risks from inundation and erosion could change in the future.
Chapter 3 (100 KB) describes the investments in national capability that have occurred to enable this first pass national assessment, and the methodology that was applied to identify areas at risk of inundation and coastal instability.
Chapter 4 (366 KB) provides an overview of the implications of climate change for the natural environment. The different responses of the four broad coastal regions (first discussed in Chapter 1) to climate change are identified, as well as key implications for coastal biodiversity and habitats.
Chapter 5 identifies the key risks to built infrastructure with a particular focus on residential buildings at state and local government scales. Risks to infrastructure, services and industries in the coastal zone are also summarised.
Chapter 6 (363 KB) concludes the Report with a discussion on coastal adaptation. It explores whether there is a case for early action and whether there are barriers to adaptation. The Chapter describes emerging areas to enable coastal adaptation which could benefit from national coordination.
End notes (837 KB)
To help you better understand the risks facing coastal communities and what can be done to prepare, the Department has also produced a series of Coastal Adaptation videos. Watch the videos here >
A number of editorial changes have been made to the report following final proofreading prior to printing. Updated on 26 November 2009.