GBCA welcomes national climate risk assessment and adaptation plan

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) welcomes the release of Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan, which provide the strongest evidence yet of the challenges ahead – and the opportunities to act now.

The Assessment shows that Australia is already experiencing compounding hazards – from extreme heat and floods to bushfires, drought and sea level rise – with profound implications for our infrastructure, communities, supply chains and natural environment. The report is clear: we need stronger, bolder action now; otherwise more than 1.5 million Australians could be living in high-risk coastal areas by 2050.

GBCA CEO Davina Rooney said the findings highlight the urgency of embedding resilience in the buildings and communities being planned and built today.

“The evidence is stark – climate impacts are accelerating, and the window to act is rapidly closing. Our buildings are on the frontline of these risks, but they also give us one of the fastest and most cost-effective pathways to adapt. Every dollar invested in resilience now will save many more in avoided damage and disruption,” Ms Rooney said.

The National Adaptation Plan outlines several important measures for the built environment, including:

• NatHERS expansion: Extending the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme to existing homes. “This is a reform GBCA has long called for and we commend the progress on this so far. It will empower households and improve rental housing – but it needs full funding to succeed nationally.”
• Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings: “The updated Trajectory is welcome, but it must be backed by a clear, ambitious implementation plan with timelines and accountability. The National Construction Code will be critical to delivering this.”
• National Energy Performance Strategy: “Stronger demand-side measures – efficiency, consumer energy resources and grid-interactive buildings – can ease grid stress, cut bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuels during peak demand.”
• Built Environment Sector Plan: “This plan must set a clear, ambitious pathway to zero-carbon-ready, climate-resilient buildings, consistent with Every Building Counts recommendations.”
• Financing adaptation and retrofits: GBCA noted potential future measures such as an adaptation finance strategy with Treasury, Green Treasury Bonds, and updates to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) mandate. “These are promising opportunities that could channel public and private investment into retrofitting existing buildings for resilience, in line with Every Building Counts’ call for a national strategy for quality retrofits.”

The Plan also recognises the need to integrate climate risk into planning and building codes. GBCA strongly supports resilience being embedded in the National Construction Code, backed by a clear schedule of future updates and adequate resourcing for the Australian Building Codes Board.

GBCA also welcomed recognition of the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable Australians and the importance of First Nations knowledge in shaping effective responses.

“Equitable adaptation means ensuring healthier, safer, more affordable buildings for all Australians. It also means learning from First Nations leadership on how we design places that respect Country and build long-term resilience,” Ms Rooney said.

Ms Rooney said the next few years are critical.

“This is not a problem for the next generation – it’s one we must tackle now. The homes, schools, hospitals and workplaces we design today will still be here in 2050. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make sure they are resilient, low-carbon and nature-positive.”

She added that ambition must be matched by delivery.

“The actions identified in the Plan must be backed with appropriate resourcing, clear timelines and responsibilities and a transparent way to measure progress. We also need a clear strategy to unlock finance, both public and private, to retrofit and strengthen the buildings Australians live and work in today. Without this, the Adaptation Plan risks becoming a framework without delivery.

Just as importantly, the risk assessment and adaptation plan must be updated regularly so we can track progress, hold ourselves accountable, and make sure policies keep pace with a fast-changing climate.”

GBCA looks forward to working closely with governments at all levels, alongside industry and communities, to turn this plan into urgent, coordinated action that safeguards Australians and delivers a climate-ready, nature-positive built environment.