April 9, 2026
Australia is home to more than 2,100 threatened species and ecological communities, as well as over 150 migratory species that are Matters of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Climate change and extreme weather events are increasingly recognised as major drivers of risk to these species and ecosystems. This report supports improved understanding and use of climate and biodiversity information in conservation planning and environmental decision‑making, particularly for non‑specialists working within regulatory and assessment contexts.
Recent national assessments, including the State of the Climate 2024, the Australian National Climate Risk Assessment (2025), and the National Adaptation Plan (2025), identify very high to severe risks to natural systems by 2050, including the potential for ecosystem transformation or collapse.
While Australia has a strong and growing body of climate, biodiversity, and adaptation policy, this report finds that:
- Existing information can be difficult for non‑specialists to interpret and apply
- Additional guidance is needed to support consistent and defensible advice
- The number of climate and biodiversity databases is increasing, creating challenges in navigation and use
This report responds directly to these challenges.
