Website links
Adaptation
Adapting to Climate Change in Australia: An Australian Government position paper - sets out the Government's vision for adapting to the impacts of climate change (from DCCEE).
An Assessment of the Need to Adapt Buildings to the Unavoidable Consequences of Climate Change - a study examining the capacity of Australia's building stock and building practices to maintain current levels of amenity in the face of a changing climate (from DCCEE).
Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local Government 2009 edition - a report that identifies adaptation actions for Local Government. It provides information on projections, possible impacts and solutions in a Local Government context (from DCCEE).
ICLEI Adaptive and Resilient Communities Program - a new program to build the capacity of councils to implement adaptation strategies.
Successful Adaptation to Climate Change Across Scales by Adger, W. N., Arnell, N. W. and Tompkins, E. (2005) in Global Environmental Change 15(2), 77-86 - includes a definition of adaptation and explores how to judge successful adaptation.
Adaptation planning and risk management processes
Adapting to Climate Change - A Queensland Local Government Guide outlines a risk assessment process. Delivered to Queensland Local Government by LGAQ.
Canadian Communities Guidebook to Adaptation to Climate Change by Environment Canada - Designed to assist local governments to incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation into planning and operations in the context of sustainable development. The guide outlines types of adaptation and suggests the establishment of a team, with a champion and a trajectory of actions to achieve a vision.
Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment: A Guidance Manual for Local Government in New Zealand helps identify and quantify hazards and opportunities on local government functions, responsibilities and infrastructure in New Zealand.
Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management - A Guide for Business and Government is a guide to integrate climate change impacts into risk management and strategic planning processes.
ICLEI Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit provides adaptive management tools to be used along side the Australian Governments "Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management - A Guide for Business and Government" referenced above.
Systems Approach to Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Metropolises Project website - includes three project reports and several fact sheets on adaptation by the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG).
Agriculture
Climate Change Home Page of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Climate Kelpie is a 'one-stop shop' for climate risk management information and tools designed for Australian farmers and farm advisors.
Dairying for Tomorrow website - includes climate change fact sheets.
FarmGAS greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculator - can be used to estimate your farm's annual GHG emissions, both at the individual enterprise activity level and for the farm as a whole, and to examine the financial impacts that different greenhouse mitigation options may have on farm business profitability.
Farming the Future: the role of government in assisting Australian farmers to adapt to the impacts of climate change - The House of Representatives Primary Industries and Resources Committee report.
NSW Department of Primary Industries website - examines the impact of climate change on primary industries and researches adaptation measures.
Air quality
Climate change impacts on air quality discussed on the Clear the Air website.
Biodiversity
Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity is a NSW Government framework to help the state's public sector agencies identify ways to tackle climate change and its impact on biodiversity (from DECCW).
Climate Change and Invasive Species - A Review of Interactions looks at the likely increase in invasive species from climate change (from DEWHA).
Double Trouble is a climate change and invasive species newsletter by the Invasive Species Council.
Marine Pests website outlines the potential impacts the spread of invasive marine species could cause for Australia's marine environment and industries (from DAFF).
Managing Australian Landscapes in a Changing Climate - a primer for regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies (from DCCEE).
Return of the ark: The adequacy of management strategies to address the impacts of climate change on biodiversity is a report from the Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) Committee testing the adequacy of existing approaches to natural resource management and recommending ways forward.
Bush fire
Climate Change Impacts on Fire Weather is a study conducted by the CSIRO assessing the potential changes with climate change on fire-weather risk.
Carbon bio-sequestration
Biochar fact sheet (from CSIRO).
The Basics of Biochar (Parliamentary Library).
Carbon offsets
Carbon Offset Watch - an independent ranking of Australian offset providers with tips for buying offsets (by CHOICE, ISF and TEC)
Carbon Offset Guide - an independent directory of Australian carbon offset providers (by EPA Victoria and RMIT).
The Voluntary Carbon Standard - a robust, global standard and program for approval of credible voluntary offsets.
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) / Emissions trading
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) web page - links to documents related to the CPRS, the framework for a national emissions trading scheme (from DCCEE).
Presentations from the forum 'National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGERS) and Commonwealth Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) - Implications for Councils' held by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, August 2009.
Presentation on Carbon Management, Understanding Jargon and the CPRS by Sustainable Infrastructure Australia, August 2009.
Coastal management
Climate Change Risks to Australia's Coasts - This report presents the findings of the first pass national assessment of the risks of climate change for the whole of Australia's coastal zone (from DCCEE).
Managing our Coastal Zone in a Changing Climate: the Time to Act is Now - report by The House of Representatives Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts Committee.
Projected Changes in Climatological Forcing for Coastal Erosion in NSW looks at factors such as changes in sea level rise, frequency and intensity of severe storms, wind direction, wave direction which can change the rate of offshore and longshore sediment transfer. The report focusses on the 2030 and 2070 planning horizons.
Disaster planning
Historic emergencies in NSW (from Emergency NSW).
NSW State Disaster Plan - outlines agreed roles and responsibilities in the event of a disaster. This includes a number of sub-plans covering Bush fire, Storm and Flood.
Economics
Climate Change - Potential Impacts and Cost NSW Fact Sheet lists a few of the potential impacts and costs to the State's industries, infrastructure, environment and people (from DCCEE).
Garnaut Climate Change Review website - links to The Garnaut Review which examines the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy and recommends medium to long-term policies and policy frameworks to improve the prospects for sustainable prosperity.
The Stern Review on the economics of climate change by economist Nicholas Stern for the British government, which discusses the effect of climate change and global warming on the world economy.
Energy efficiency
Australasian Energy Performance Contracting Association website - includes a Best Practice Guide to Energy Performance Contracting and lists accredited facilitators and energy contractors.
Energy Transformed: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation - an online textbook providing free access to a comprehensive education and training package that brings together the knowledge of how countries, specifically Australia, can achieve at least 60 percent cuts to greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Energy Saving Trust website - provides a range of fact sheets, guidance materials, educational resources and case studies from the UK aimed at residents, building professionals and local authorities.
Energy Rating website - a joint initiative of Commonwealth, State and Territory Agencies to provide a guide for choosing an energy efficient appliance.
Energy Star website - an international standard for energy efficient office equipment including computers, printers and photocopiers, and home electronics such as TVs, audio products and DVD players.
Green Building Council of Australia website - encourages the adoption of green building practices.
ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection website - includes resources on buildings, vehicle fleets, street lights and more.
NABERS - a performance-based rating system for existing buildings. NABERS now incorporates the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR), which has been re-named NABERS Energy for offices. NABERS Energy and Water rating for Hotels is now available.
Engineering
Guidelines for Responding to the Effects of Climate Change in Coastal Engineering Designexamines possible climate change scenarios affecting coastal engineering design (from Engineers Australia).
Environment organisations
Australian Conservation Foundation
Climate Action Network Australia
Nature Conservation Council NSW
Food and community gardens
Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network web page - has several links to policies and practices for community gardens including several Local Government documents.
Community Gardens Policy Directions for Kogarah Municipal Council - a report by Russ Grayson providing a comprehensive analysis of issues surrounding community gardens.
Getting Started in Community Gardening: A Guide to Planning Design and Implementation of Community Garden Projects by Faith Thomas, funded by the City of Sydney Council.
Funding and rebates
See the page on funding opportunities.
Government departments
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (NSW)
Department of Local Government (NSW)
Division of Minerals and Energy within Industry & Investment NSW
Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Australian Government Department of Climate Change
Our Environment - it's a living thing (The overarching environmental education program of the NSW Government)
Health
Emergency NSW Health provides information on protecting the health of people during emergency situations including extreme heat, bush fires and floods.
Health Benefits of Mitigating Global Warming - a 12 page report (published by the Climate Action Network Australia).
Climate Change and Children: A Human Security Challenge - a policy review paper published in 2008 (by UNICEF).
Communicable Disease Australia provides statistics on notifiable diseases. This includes diseases that may be more prevalent under climate change conditions including Ross River Virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis.
The World Health Organisation provides a range of information and resources on how climate change will impact human health. The site includes a report on "Using climate to predict infectious disease epidemics" and other health problems associated with extremes of temperature and natural disasters.
Indigenous peoples
'Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change' is Chapter 5 of the 2008 Native Title Report. It describes climate change issues for Australia's Indigenous peoples from page 118.
Legislation and liability
Climate Change: What are Local Governments Liable for? - a report by Philippa England 2007, Griffith University.
Climate Response: Issues, Costs and Liabilities in Adapting to Climate Change in Australia - a report by Buckley et al., 2007, Griffith University.
Coastal Councils Planning for Climate Change - an audit of legislation and policy instruments to determine the responsibilities and potential liabilities of coastal councils for climate change (from SCCG).
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007(Cth) and subsequent papers detailing regulations and technical specifications regarding the Act, states that corporations which exceed greenhouse gas emission thresholds will need to annually report on emissions from their operations (from DCCEE).
Local Government
Australian Local Government Association
C40 is a group of the world's largest cities committed to tackling climate change. The website offers a range of resources and case studies aimed at local government.
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW
Planning
Coastal Councils Planning for Climate Change - an audit of legislation and policy instruments to determine the responsibilities and potential liabilities of coastal councils for climate change (from SCCG).
Planning for Climate Change Research Paper - recommends actions to enhance planning across coastal communities.
Your Development - a web resource for sustainable urban residential development (from CSIRO and DEWHA).
Renewable energy
Australian PV Association's Best Practice PV Guidelines for Local Government provides advice on the technical aspect of photo voltaic cells and development approval.
Energy Efficiency Best Practise in Housing - Installing small wind-powered electricity generating systems is a UK publication providing guidance for installers and specifiers on best practice system design and installation (from the Energy Saving Trust, UK).
GreenPower website - lists suppliers of accredited GreenPower and application forms for the use of the GreenPower logo. The Meet supporters of GreenPower web page includes Local Government case studies and supporters of GreenPower.
Green Electricity Watch provides an independent review of GreenPower suppliers to assist customers to decide on products.
RISE provides research and education into sustainable energy.
Residential greenhouse gas reduction tools
The CSIRO Home Energy Saving Handbook is a guide to help households reduce their carbon footprint.
Home Greenhouse Audit Manual - a training manual and resource guide for conducting home energy audits (from DCCEE).
Online calculator for household greenhouse gas emissions (from DEWHA).
Sea level rise and storm surge
Australian Government Fact Sheet: Climate Change - Potential Impacts and Costs New South Wales (from DCCEE).
High resolution terrain mapping of the NSW Central and Hunter coasts for assessments of potential climate change impacts: final project report (from Dept of Planning). The project report allows councils and the NSW Government to consider the likely impacts of sea level rise on low lying coastal areas both for existing and future development.
NSW Sea Level Rise Policy Statement information on DECCW's website. LGSA's Submission to Draft NSW Sea Level Rise Policy Statement.
Sea Level Rise: A Post - IPCC AR4 Update, 2008, by the Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre.
Science
Carbon ABC website - provides a guide the jargon and terminology around climate change (by CE Daily).
Climate Change 2009: Faster Change & More Serious Risks updates new developments since the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) (from DCCEE).
Climate Change in Australia - Technical Report 2007 provides an up to date assessment of observed climate change, the likely causes, and projections for future changes to Australia's climate.
Facts and Fiction web page - Frequently Asked Questions (from DCCEE).
State Government plans
NSW Greenhouse Plan and NSW Climate Action Plan
Street lighting
Street Lighting Improvement Program - includes 29 Sydney metropolitan councils who are serviced by Energy Australia. The program aims to deploy more efficient technologies and improve services through negotiation with Energy Australia and represent councils in regulatory review.
Sustainable Public Lighting Toolbox by ICLEI - provides guidelines, tools, case studies, technology information plus NSW specific information about street lighting regulation and energy markets.
Transport
Active Transport for Childcare Centres case study and accompanying resources (from the Institute of Sustainable Futures).
Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas website - includes a range of information and papers including an oil depletion overview.
The Greenhouse and Air Quality Emissions of Biodiesel Blends in Australia report undertakes life cycle analyses for greenhouse gas and criteria pollutants on a range of biodiesel blends and pure biodiesel (from the CSIRO).
The Weedy Truth About Biofuels discusses the weed risk of plants being promoted for biofuels (from the Invasive Species Council).
United Nations Frameworks
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - assesses the latest scientific, technical and socio-economic literature produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change, its observed and projected impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - the secretariat of the UNFCCC supports arrangements for meetings organized under the Convention, to transmit official documents and reports, and to assist Parties in communicating other information related to the Convention; it also serves the Kyoto Protocol.
United Nations Climate Change Conference website - outcomes from the UN conference in Bali.
The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change document, United Nations, 1998.
Waste
Calculate the greenhouse benefits from recycling (from DECCW).
Landfill sites and cutting greenhouse gas emissions - this study outlines benefits achieved by using recycled materials for reducing greenhouses gases (such as methane) from small to medium site landfills.
The Total Environment Centre's website has a link to their report, The Potential Greenhouse Gas Liability from Landfill in Australia, it discusses the risk of emissions from landfill sites and potential solutions.
Waste wise events guide - developed for councils, landowners and managers and event organisers (from DECCW).
Water
See the Water in a Changing Climate page on this website.