ASBEC Submission: National Adaptation Plan Issues Paper - Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC)

15 April 2024

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the National Adaptation Plan Issues Paper.

Australia’s built environment must be at the heart of climate change adaptation efforts.

Australia is already experiencing the impacts of climate change and is increasingly exposed to disasters caused by natural hazards that impact infrastructure, essential services and communities.

Our built environment is not currently equipped to withstand future climate conditions that are already ‘baked in,’ leading to heightened risks for buildings and occupants. Population density within Australia is increasing generally, with concentrations emerging in areas prone to natural hazards, particularly coastal areas.

The built environment has a crucial role to play in protecting the health and comfort of all Australians in the context of a changing climate.

Poor quality of building performance embedded within current minimum standards of construction do little to place environmental considerations on the operational aspects of buildings. This operational performance could be enhanced through appropriate consideration of the public realm as a starting point. These considerations should include building location with the site to better connect to surrounding sites and open space to create networks, corridors, and contiguous planting to help mitigate wind, urban heat island, and create permeability, habitat, shelter etc.

Many of the actions required to make Australia’s buildings more climate resilient are also intrinsically linked to emissions reduction efforts.

A national adaptation plan that includes plans for a climate resilient built environment is an essential component of the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver a national framework for climate change adaptation across the economy. Additionally, the integration of constructed urban landscapes into the National Adaptation Plan is crucial for a holistic approach to climate change adaptation, ensuring that our adaptation strategies encompass all aspects of the built environment and not just the buildings themselves.