As the Australian Government prepares to implement its election commitment to develop our nation’s first comprehensive climate-security risk assessment, the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group (ASLCG) is urging the government to ensure that the analysis is broad-based involving government and non-government experts, and understands that the world is facing potentially existential security risks, addresses human security in the widest sense, and builds on recent studies by our allies.
In a detailed proposal backed by former defence and security officials, including Admiral Chris Barrie (Rtd), former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, ASLCG lays out a set of key recommendations aimed to assist the government conduct an analysis that captures the full range of climate-related security threats and identify critical action priorities.
“The depth of the security threats associated with climate change are increasing rapidly for Australia and our region and we urgently need a full account of what we face now and into the future.” according to (Rtd) Adm Chris Barrie, Executive Member of the ASLCG. “Climate impacts are occurring faster than forecast, so the analysis must be nimble and understand the high-end risks.”
The proposal incorporates an existential risk management framework combined with a climate scenario-based approach, something not previously carried out in Australia. ASLCG urges the government to structure the risk assessment as a broad, transparent process using an expert panel drawn from within and outside the government to include the best expertise available.
“We must examine all of the implementation challenges and learn from the successful international efforts led by our allies to best assess the growing climate-security risks in a dangerously warming world,” said Admiral Chris Barrie (Rtd).
Since taking office, the federal government has confirmed its commitment to implement an urgent climate risk assessment outlined in its Powering Australia plan.
ASLCG will launch the proposal at an online public forum: ‘A Nation At Risk: charting a course for an urgent climate risk assessment for Australia, on 3 August 2022 at 4 pm.
Forum speakers include:
Dr Daniel Quiggin – Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House UK. Daniel co-authored Chatham House’s Climate Change Risk Assessment 2021 report.
Dr Robert Glasser – Head of the Climate & Security Policy Centre for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). Robert was previously the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction and a member of the Secretary General’s Senior Management Team.
Cheryl Durrant – Former Director of Preparedness & Mobilisation, Australian Department of Defence.
Cheryl led the climate risk scenario development for the Australian Interdepartmental Secretaries’ Group on Climate Risk
Admiral Chris Barrie AC (Rtd) – Former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (CDF). Chris is the Australian Chair of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change.
Forum Registrations: aslcg.org/forums
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