June 24, 2026
Know someone making a real difference in adapting to a changing climate? The Climate Adaptation Champions Awards 2026 are celebrating the people and organisations leading the way. With two awards to be granted (one for an individual and one for an organisation), we’re looking for inspiring action across resilient communities, thriving natural environments, climate-ready cities, powerful communication and bold innovation.
From strengthening local connections to reimagining how we live with climate impacts, this is your chance to shine a spotlight on what’s working. If you, or someone you know, are turning ideas into action, helping communities adapt and building a more resilient future, we want to hear about it.
Recipients will receive 1 x complimentary full registration to Climate Adaptation 2026 in Newcastle from 26-28 October, 1 x return economy flight, and 3 x nights accommodation. For the organisation award this will be for their chosen representative.
🏆 ✍️ Applications are due by 30 July, complete our simple online form below. Information is collected in accordance with the CSIRO privacy policy. More information at bottom of form.
🏆 📄 Read T&Cs here >
🏆 ⏰ And don’t forget, abstracts are due next week by 30 June >
Entrants must address at least one of these five main topics in their submission:
- Resilient communities – How do you engage with others to bring awareness of climate change impacts and actions into plans and practices that can improve your community or social group?
- Helping the natural environment – How do you make habitats more climate resilient, care for affected wildlife or plan to help ecosystems deal with the potential effects of climate change?
- Climate adapted city life – What are you doing in the city to help prepare for climate impacts such as more extremely hot days, stresses on the water supply or heavier flooding?
- Communicating for climate adaptation – What have you done to connect people with the knowledge they need to understand adaptation and find solutions to climate challenges?
- Innovation in adaptation – In your local environment, community or business, what innovative or novel ideas or approaches have you introduced or trialled that account for a changing climate and how has it affected what you or others do?
The principles governing collection of adaptation awards nominee information
CSIRO is bound by the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in Schedule 1 of that Act. The APPs govern the way that CSIRO handles personal information. This includes how we collect, use, disclose, and secure personal information.
The personal information that is provided by, or on behalf of individuals involved in the Adaptation Awards is collected for the purposes of administering the award, arranging travel for the award winners and evaluation purposes. CSIRO will also collect sensitive information, including racial or ethnic origin for these purposes.
CSIRO will also collect information via a third party platform, MS Forms. CSIRO may disclose personal information to third parties, for the purposes set out above.
De-identified (non-identifiable) and aggregated (grouped) data will be used for evaluating the program. Additionally, feedback provided through voluntary and anonymous surveys will also be used for evaluation purposes.
CSIRO will also prepare reports about the Adaptation Awards. Reports will not include participant personal information unless specific written permission has been provided by the individual in advance.
CSIRO’s privacy policy outlines the personal information handling practices of CSIRO, including how to access or request an amendment of your personal information and how you can make a complaint about the way in which personal information was handled. You can contact us at .