Understanding Tasmania’s Future Climate

1.1

Review climate change models, identify research gaps and opportunities, and determine priority research projects to update Tasmania’s climate science

Expected completion FY 2020-21

DPAC (TCCO)

We are continuing to improve our understanding of Tasmania’s future climate by undertaking priority research projects, including enterprise suitability mapping; climate change and health; natural hazards impacts and onsite wastewater management systems.

The Tasmanian Government’s Climate Research Grants Program opened in May and closed in June 2020. The $750,000 Grants Program offers grants of up to $50,000 for climate research projects and/or the development of decision support tools that address the priority areas of research need in Tasmania. The Grants Program supports Tasmanian businesses, industry and the community to improve understanding of, and be better equipped to manage, the risks and opportunities of a changing climate.

In progress

1.2

Undertake research to build our understanding of Tasmania’s vulnerability to coincident extreme events and their impacts

Complete

DPAC (TCCO)

The Compound Extreme Events in Tasmania research project is complete. The project aims to improve understanding of compound extreme event types and how the frequency and intensity of these events may change in the future as a result of climate change. A workshop was held with key stakeholders to discuss the results and the report.

Complete

1.3

Provide sector-specific information on Tasmania’s future climate through tailored climate information and decision support tools for end users

Expected completion

FY 2020-21

DPAC (TCCO)

TCCO, in partnership with Hydro Tasmanian and CSIRO, has now held two Tasmanian Climate Symposiums. The annual Symposium brings together key decision makers from government and industry, and Tasmanian researchers, to network, share learnings and work collaboratively to translate climate research into better policy and practice.

The theme from the second Symposium, held in October 2019, was climate risk and impacts on Tasmanian-based industries. Representatives from the government, tourism, energy, agriculture, emergency services and marine sectors gave presentations on the impacts, risks and opportunities of climate change.

In progress

1.4

Support an ongoing commitment to the National Climate Science Centre in Hobart

Ongoing

DPAC (TCCO)

The Tasmanian Government continues to advocate for the maintenance of a strong scientific research capability in Tasmania, particularly through the CSIRO Climate Science Centre. The Centre works in national partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Antarctic Division, and the university sector.

Tasmania’s other world-class science bodies include the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, the University of Tasmania’s Geography and Spatial Sciences and the Centre for Marine Socioecology.

Ongoing