It's time for our Federal Government to prepare for the climate realities ahead.

Without sustained investment in adaptation, the economic costs of climate change will rise sharply. For every $1 not spent building resilience and preparedness, up to $10 will be needed for response and recovery. These costs are already running into the billions each year.

At a minimum, we need a climate-resilient health system and full funding for the National Health and Climate Strategy.

Renew Australia’s Climate Safety Plan outlines a $13+ billion package through to 2035 to strengthen community services and local government, build resilient health and emergency systems, climate proof homes, schools and workplaces, and secure farming and food supply.

And how do we fund it? We can fund it through tax reform - cap Fuel Tax Credits and replace the PRRT with a 25% gas export levy to unlock more than $10 billion per year.

Read the Climate Safety Plan.

This week, a new report from the University of Technology Sydney, which CAHA contributed to, backs the Climate Safety Plan and shows that investments in climate adaptation support jobs, boost productivity and deliver strong economic returns.

UTS report: Climate Adaptation: employment and productivity outcomes from investments in climate resilience.