Australia’s Climate, Environment & Water System

What They Do

• Lead national climate change policy & emissions reduction

• Protect Australia’s environment, biodiversity & natural heritage

• Deliver weather, climate & hazard intelligence

• Manage national water resources & river systems

• Support renewable energy transition & environmental sustainability

Why It Matters

• Australia faces increasing extreme weather & climate risks

• Biodiversity loss threatens ecosystems, agriculture & tourism

• Water security is critical for communities & industry

• Climate intelligence supports emergency services & planning

• Environmental protection underpins long‑term national prosperity

Key Outputs

• Climate policy, emissions frameworks & adaptation plans

• Environmental regulation & conservation programs

• Weather forecasts, climate outlooks & hazard warnings

• National water data & hydrological modelling

• Renewable energy transition support & environmental reporting

 

Divisions & Sub‑Departments

🔷 Climate Policy & Emissions Reduction Division

Driving Australia’s Transition to a Low‑Emissions Future

• Develop national climate policy & emissions frameworks

• Coordinate adaptation planning

• Support industry transition & innovation

• Monitor national emissions performance

 

🔷 Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Division

Safeguarding Australia’s Natural Environment & Wildlife

• Manage environmental regulation & approvals

• Protect threatened species & ecosystems

• Oversee national parks & conservation programs

• Lead biodiversity monitoring & restoration

 

🔷 Energy & Sustainability Division

Supporting Australia’s Renewable Energy Transition

• Develop clean energy policy & programs

• Support renewable energy investment

• Improve energy efficiency standards

• Coordinate national energy transition planning

 

🔷 Water Resources & River Systems Division

Securing Australia’s Water Future

• Manage national water policy & river systems

• Oversee Murray–Darling Basin compliance

• Provide hydrological modelling & water data

• Support water security for communities & industry

 

🔷 Environmental Science, Data & Monitoring Division

Delivering Environmental Intelligence for National Decision‑Making

• Monitor air, water, soil & ecological health

• Provide environmental data & reporting

• Support scientific research & modelling

• Strengthen national environmental information systems

 

🔷 Hazard Preparedness & Climate Resilience Division

Protecting Australians from Extreme Weather & Climate Impacts

• Coordinate national hazard preparedness

• Support emergency services with climate intelligence

• Lead resilience planning & risk reduction

• Strengthen community preparedness & adaptation

 

Portfolio Agencies

🔷 Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)

Australia’s National Weather & Climate Intelligence Agency

• Deliver weather forecasts & severe weather warnings

• Provide climate outlooks & long‑range modelling

• Support emergency services

• Maintain radar, satellite & environmental monitoring

 

🔷 Australian Climate Service (ACS)

Integrating Climate, Hazard & Impact Data for National Resilience

• Combine climate, hazard & exposure data

• Support emergency management & national planning

• Provide climate risk intelligence

• Strengthen national resilience

 

🔷 Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)

Managing Australia’s Most Important River System

• Oversee Basin planning & compliance

• Support sustainable water use

• Monitor river health & environmental flows

• Coordinate Basin‑wide water management

 

🔷 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)

Protecting the World’s Largest Coral Reef System

• Manage reef protection & conservation

• Monitor reef health & climate impacts

• Support tourism, science & community partnerships

• Lead reef resilience planning

 

Key Problems in Australia’s Climate & Environment System

Australia faces escalating climate risks, biodiversity decline, water scarcity, and increasing extreme weather events. Ageing environmental monitoring systems, fragmented climate data, and inconsistent national coordination weaken resilience. Water security challenges, habitat loss, and slow environmental approvals further strain ecosystems and communities. Strengthening climate intelligence, environmental protection, and national adaptation capability is essential for Australia’s long‑term prosperity and safety.

 

Reform Solutions / Policy to Change

• Build a unified national climate & environment intelligence system

• Modernise environmental approvals

• Upgrade monitoring networks (weather, water, biodiversity)

• Deliver a National Climate Adaptation Strategy

• Strengthen biodiversity protection & restoration

• Reform Murray–Darling Basin governance

• Accelerate renewable energy transition

• Establish national hazard preparedness standards

• Integrate climate, hazard & environmental data across agencies