Department of Climate Change and environment & Water

Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water Portfolio

Protecting Australia’s Environment, Strengthening Climate Resilience & Securing Our Water Future

Australia’s climate system faces escalating risks: rising emissions, extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and fragmented adaptation planning. The Department of Climate Change Reform & Modernisation program restructures national climate governance, embeds long‑term stability, and integrates emissions, resilience, and environmental intelligence into a unified national framework.

Our Purpose

We create policies and programs to:

  • combat climate change and develop a smart energy system for the future
  • protect our unique environment, wildlife, and heritage
  • manage Australia’s water resources for industries and local communities
  • take care of Australia’s interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

We rely on science. We’re innovative and work together. We focus on what’s ahead.

Our Role

Our work covers many areas.

We manage Australia’s valuable resources on land and water, in towns and cities. We:

  • promote actions for climate change and invest in cleaner technologies
  • ensure we have a reliable and affordable energy system
  • protect Australia’s wildlife and natural heritage
  • support wise management of natural resources
  • oversee Australia’s water resources for the environment, industries, and communities
  • provide information and analysis on climate, energy, and the environment.

Working with You

We collaborate with stakeholders, governments, and the community to meet our goals.

We welcome feedback through:

  • public consultations
  • industry meetings
  • advisory committees
  • international discussions
  • connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Our Business

To achieve our goals, we:

  • provide advice to the Australian Government
  • run programs
  • oversee laws and regulations.

We are a regulatory body.

We enforce laws regarding:

  • protection of the environment and wildlife
  • use of harmful substances and pollutants
  • import and export of wildlife
  • fuel quality
  • offshore greenhouse gas storage.

 

 

 

 

Climate Policy & Emissions Reduction

  • National climate policy

  • Emissions reduction frameworks

  • Carbon budgets to 2050

  • Independent Climate Commission

  • Safeguard Mechanism reform

  • ACCU integrity overhaul

 

Hazard Preparedness & Resilience

  • National hazard preparedness frameworks

  • Emergency service climate intelligence

  • Community adaptation tools

  • Sectoral resilience plans (agriculture, cities, coasts)

  • Integrated climate–hazard–environment data spine

 

Environmental Intelligence & Monitoring

  • National environmental data systems

  • Air, water, soil, and ecological health monitoring

  • Scientific modelling and forecasting

  • Bureau of Meteorology integration

  • Australian Climate Service datasets

Energy & Grid Integration

  • National Super‑Grid & Storage Plan

  • Renewable hosting capacity

  • Firming and reliability mechanisms

  • Hydrogen and battery corridors

  • Grid‑linked climate abatement

Basic

Water & Climate Adaptation

  • National Water Grid integration

  • Climate‑adjusted environmental flows

  • Urban and regional water planning

  • Drought and flood resilience

  • Transparent water markets

Professional

Environmental Protection & Biodiversity

  • National Nature Act

  • Legally binding environmental standards

  • Threatened Species Recovery Program

  • Biodiversity monitoring and restoration

  • Net‑gain habitat offset rules

Business

Antarctica & Southern Ocean Climate Science

  • Long‑term Antarctic science strategy

  • Climate risk integration into national planning

  • Environmental protocols for Australian operations

  • Data sharing mandates for ocean and polar systems

Basic

🔵 AMEND

  • Climate Change Act → introduce 5‑year carbon budgets

  • Safeguard Mechanism → tighten baselines, cap offsets

  • ACCU framework → independent crediting authority

  • EPBC Act → embed binding environmental standards

  • Water Act → climate‑adjusted flows and extraction caps

Professional

REMOVE

  • Low‑integrity offset methods

  • Fragmented climate programs

  • Legacy biodiversity exemptions

  • Over‑allocated water entitlements

  • Duplicated hazard monitoring systems

Business

CREATE

  • Climate Stability Act

  • National Climate Commission

  • National Nature Act

  • National Climate & Environment Intelligence System

  • Sectoral Adaptation & Resilience Plans

  • Integrated Climate–Hazard–Environment Data Spine

  • Antarctic Climate Integration Strategy

 

PORTFOLIO AGENCIES

  • Bureau of Meteorology

  • Australian Climate Service

  • Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

  • Murray–Darling Basin Authority

  • National Water Grid Authority

  • Environmental Science & Monitoring Division

  • Hazard Preparedness & Climate Resilience Division

Beyond the ordinary

This is where our journey begins. Get to know our business and what we do, and how we're committed to quality and great service. Join us as we grow and succeed together. We're glad you're here to be a part of our story.

10‑Year Costings & Operations (Condensed)

Department of Climate Change — Reform & Modernisation

 

🔵 Baseline Funding

  • $1.26B per year

  • Climate policy, emissions frameworks, monitoring, hazard systems, Antarctic science

 

PHASE 1 — Years 1–2

Stabilise & Integrate

Cost: $1.10B–$1.45B/yr Savings: $120M–$180M/yr

  • Climate Commission setup

  • Safeguard Mechanism reform

  • ACCU integrity overhaul

  • Climate–environment data integration (Phase 1)

  • Hazard preparedness uplift

 

PHASE 2 — Years 2–4

Build National Capability

Cost: $1.80B–$2.40B/yr Savings: $300M–$450M/yr Revenue: $250M–$400M/yr

  • National Climate–Hazard–Environment Data Spine

  • Sectoral adaptation plans

  • Biodiversity recovery programs

  • Water grid climate integration

  • Grid abatement programs

  • Antarctic science expansion

 

PHASE 3 — Years 4–6

Resilience & Environmental Recovery

Cost: $1.40B–$1.90B/yr Savings: $400M–$600M/yr Revenue: $300M–$500M/yr

  • National Nature Act rollout

  • Habitat restoration

  • Climate‑smart agriculture integration

  • Regional adaptation hubs

  • Advanced hazard forecasting

 

PHASE 4 — Years 6–10

Fully Integrated Climate System

Cost: $2.60B–$3.40B/yr Savings: $1.2B–$1.8B/yr Revenue: $1.0B–$1.6B/yr

  • Long‑term emissions pathways

  • National climate intelligence system

  • Climate‑linked infrastructure planning

  • Antarctic leadership programs

  • National resilience systems

 

📊 10‑Year Totals (Condensed)

  • Total Investment: $14.8B–$19.6B

  • Total Savings: $8.2B–$12.4B

  • Total Revenue: $6.4B–$10.2B

  • Net Cost After Savings + Revenue: $0.2B–$1.0B

 

⭐ Outcome (One‑Line Summary)

A unified, climate‑ready national system that reduces emissions, strengthens resilience, protects biodiversity, and generates clean‑economy revenue — at near‑neutral net cost over 10 years.

 

STRATEGIC ROADMAP

Immediate (0–12 months)

  • Launch Climate Commission

  • Reform Safeguard Mechanism

  • Begin national hazard preparedness rollout

  • Integrate climate data systems

Medium Term (1–3 years)

  • Sectoral adaptation plans operational

  • Biodiversity recovery programs scaled

  • Water and energy grid integration

  • Antarctic climate strategy implemented

Long Term (3–10 years)

  • Stable emissions trajectory to 2050

  • Unified climate–hazard–environment intelligence system

  • Measurable biodiversity and resilience outcomes

  • Export‑ready clean energy and climate leadership

 

What we do

We offer a range of specialized services tailored to meet your individual needs. Our approach is focused on understanding and responding to what you require, providing effective and practical solutions.