The State of Climate Change Adaptation in Australia

March 27, 2026

Update from the Australian Adaptation Database

Australia is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, bushfires, droughts, floods and coastal erosion. In response, governments, businesses, community organisations and research institutions are taking action to adapt to a changing climate. Understanding the scale, type and distribution of these actions is critical to tracking national progress and identifying gaps, opportunities and emerging trends.

State of Climate Change Adaptation in Australia

With the National Adaptation Plan released last year, the State of Climate Change Adaptation in Australia report provides a timely snapshot of where Australia stands. As the Australian Adaptation Database continues to expand and quarterly reports track trends, we will gain a clearer picture of what is changing. An understanding that is key to delivering long-term, effective adaptation. This report presents findings from the initial release of the database, covering the period April 2025 to January 2026. Updated reports will be released on a quarterly basis.

About the Australian Adaptation Database

The Australian Adaptation Database was developed to improve understanding of Australia’s progress toward climate change adaptation. It is a systematic, publicly accessible collection of documented climate adaptation activities occurring across Australia. When adaptation data is publicly available, it can result in communities and decision-makers learning from one another. It helps to provide accountability at every level, from local government through to keeping international commitments, such as those made under the United Nations Framework. And it allows us to see how adaptation is progressing across sectors and scales, making change visible.

The database captures adaptation actions across:

• Multiple scales, from local and community‑based initiatives to state, territory and national programs
• A wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, health, environment, emergency management, agriculture, water, energy and urban planning
• Diverse geographic locations, spanning metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas across all Australian states and territories

Each entry in the database is carefully reviewed and coded using a consistent methodology. This enables comparison across regions and sectors, and supports long‑term analysis of how adaptation activity is evolving.

The database is updated on an ongoing basis, reflecting the dynamic nature of climate change adaptation in Australia.