The 2024 State of the Climate Report presents a sobering view of Australia’s climate trajectory. It reveals how rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, extreme weather, and changes in ocean health are reshaping our environment. This report reminds us of the urgency required to address the challenges of climate change. The findings call for coordinated adaptation and mitigation efforts, not only to manage current impacts but also to ensure a sustainable future for ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure.

In this blog, we provide an overview of the 2024 State of the Climate Report, covering its main findings, and recommendations. This report offers essential insights into Australia’s evolving climate landscape and the pressing need for action to safeguard our shared environment.

Background: Australia’s Changing Climate

The State of the Climate Report 2024 is a collaborative effort by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology and draws on both national and international climate data to deliver a comprehensive overview of Australia’s changing climate. Published biennially, this is the eighth report and presents findings on temperature, rainfall, sea levels, greenhouse gas emissions, and extreme weather events, documenting climate patterns and long-term shifts. By examining recent data, the report aims to inform public understanding of climate change’s local effects and provide a foundation for future climate policy and adaptation efforts.

Temperature Trends and Rising Extremes

A key focus of the report is Australia’s temperature increase, which reflects global warming patterns observed over the past century. According to the report, Australia’s climate has warmed by 1.51°C since 1910 (when national records began), with average temperatures rising across all seasons. This increase is leading to more frequent and severe heat events, with summer temperatures often surpassing historical norms. As a result, Australia is seeing hotter days and longer heatwaves, which have direct implications for public health, energy demand, and ecosystem stability

“In the record warm year of 2019 there were 40 days with extremely high nationally-averaged mean temperatures (those in the warmest 1% of days for each month), about 3 times more extreme heat days than any year prior to 2000. Also in 2019, there were 33 days when national daily average maximum temperatures exceeded 39 °C, a larger number than seen in the 59 years from 1960 to 2018 combined.” (p. 5)

Rainfall Variability and Changing Patterns

The 2024 report documents notable shifts in rainfall patterns across Australia, with southern regions experiencing reduced rainfall and the northern areas seeing an increase in wet-season precipitation. The decline in cool-season rainfall—measured from April to October—in southern Australia is especially pronounced, with the southwest recording a 16% decrease since 1970. This trend has direct implications for water availability and agriculture in Australia’s southern regions, where water resources are already limited.

In contrast, northern Australia has experienced a 20% increase in wet-season rainfall since 1994, which has led to more frequent flooding events. This variability in rainfall contributes to regional differences in water security, with some areas facing prolonged dry periods while others experience intensified rainfall and flood risks. The shift in rainfall patterns aligns with observed changes in climate systems influenced by phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, which affect the distribution and intensity of rainfall across the country.

Bushfire Risks and Fire Weather

Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are increasing Australia’s bushfire risks. The report links the increase in extreme heat and dry conditions with a higher likelihood of severe fire events, particularly in southern Australia. Fire weather days have become more common, resulting in longer fire seasons and more intense bushfires, as witnessed during the catastrophic Black Summer fires of 2019-2020. These fires had devastating impacts on communities, wildlife, and ecosystems, highlighting the need for improved fire management and preparation strategies. The report’s findings indicate that bushfire risks will continue to escalate if current warming trends continue.

Rising Sea Levels and Marine Health

Australia’s marine environment is also undergoing significant changes, with rising sea surface temperatures, increased ocean acidification, and higher sea levels. According to the report, sea surface temperatures around Australia have increased by 1.08°C since 1900, contributing to frequent marine heatwaves that affect biodiversity and ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Marine heatwaves pose a significant threat to Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef, which is highly sensitive to temperature changes and bleaching events. Over the past 10 years, five coral bleaching events have occurred on the Great Barrier Reef: in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2024.

“The impact of the 2020 mass bleaching event was associated with severely bleached coastal reefs along the entire 2,300 km length of the Great Barrier Reef. The 2022 event was the first time that mass bleaching occurred on the Reef during a La Niña year. Accumulated thermal stress during the 2024 event was higher than in 2016, although the full impact in terms of bleaching is still being assessed.” (p. 17)

Coastal communities are also at risk as higher sea levels contribute to coastal erosion and infrastructure damage, particularly in low-lying areas.

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

The report identifies greenhouse gases as the primary driver of climate change since the 1850-1900 period.

The global annual mean CO2 concentration in 2023 was 419.2 ppm—a 51% increase from the concentration of 277 ppm in 1750 found from air trapped in Antarctic ice. (p. 24)

Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have also risen sharply, increasing by 162% and 23% respectively.

Human activities such as fossil fuel use, agriculture, and industry are the major contributors to these emissions. Methane, with 81 times the warming potential of CO2 over 20 years, is emitted from sources like wetlands, livestock, and natural gas use. Nitrous oxide, 273 times as potent as CO2, primarily comes from fertilisers. The report stresses the urgency of reducing these emissions to mitigate both immediate and long-term climate impacts.

Key Findings

1. Temperature: Australia’s climate has warmed by 1.51°C since 1910, resulting in more frequent extreme heat events and longer periods of high temperatures.
2. Rainfall: Declines in cool-season rainfall in southern Australia contrast with increases in wet-season rainfall in the north, leading to varied regional impacts on water resources and flood risks.
3. Fire Weather: Dangerous fire weather days have increased, lengthening the fire season in southern Australia and elevating bushfire risks.
4. Oceans: Rising sea surface temperatures, ocean acidification, and frequent marine heatwaves are adversely affecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Recommendations for Adaptation and Mitigation

The report stresses the importance of adaptation and mitigation strategies to address Australia’s changing climate. Key recommendations include:

• Reducing Emissions: To prevent further warming and limit extreme weather impacts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and globally must be a priority. Significantly reducing emissions are crucial to achieving meaningful progress in climate mitigation.
• Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Infrastructure in fire-prone, flood-prone, and coastal areas needs reinforcement to withstand extreme weather conditions and sea level rise.
• Enhancing Water Resource Management: Sustainable water management practices are essential in response to shifting rainfall patterns, especially in regions experiencing declines in cool-season precipitation.
• Protecting Marine Ecosystems: Conservation efforts are necessary to enhance resilience among marine species facing acidification and warming. Policies should support adaptive measures for marine and coastal biodiversity at risk.

Conclusion

The 2024 State of the Climate Report provides clear evidence that we are living in a climate emergency. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increased extreme weather events are not only reshaping Australia’s landscapes but also impacting our way of life. The findings underscore the need for urgent, collective action to mitigate emissions, build resilience, and adapt to the challenges ahead.

This report highlights the importance of Victorian Government departments and agencies aligning with State climate initiatives. Key priorities include meeting the Climate Change Act 2017 requirements, achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, implementing the Greener Government Buildings program, and adopting climate risk management frameworks outlined in DEECA’s 2024–2028 Corporate Plan. Together, these initiatives drive progress towards a net-zero emissions future, enhance resilience to climate risks, and integrate sustainability into government operations.

Aligned with the Social Procurement Framework (SPF—10th objective: Implementation of the Climate Change Policy Objectives), these efforts reflect the Victorian Government’s commitment to sustainable procurement. This objective focuses on promoting environmental sustainability in resource use and addressing climate change. The SPF outlines project-specific requirements to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, manage waste, and ensure climate-resilient outputs. By embedding these practices, the Victorian Government supports a sustainable transition, enhances community resilience, and safeguards infrastructure for the future.

Resources

• Climate action: Victoria’s path to a net-zero emissions and climate resilient future (DEECA)
• Climate Change Act 2017 (DEECA)
• Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action: Corporate Plan 2024-2028 (DEECA)
• Greener Government Buildings Guidelines (Department of Treasury and Finance – 2016)
• Government environmental reporting (DEECA)
• State of the Climate Report 2024 (CSIRO and BOM)
• Using risk management to help you address climate change (VMIA)

***

A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria.

***

IMAGE: Gippsland Region, Victoria, 2020 after the bushfires. Used under licence from shutterstock.com

Written by Wendy Cavenett

[category courtheath's blog]

[#StateOfTheClimateReport2024, #ClimateAction, #NetZero]