The assessment of impacts of climate change on Australia's physical infrastructure

Source: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
"The ATSE risk assessment study has identified that major potential impacts on physical infrastructure often arise from combinations of projected climatic events. These include, for example, the impact of drought, bush fires and extremes of temperature on energy generation and distribution systems, or extreme rainfall, or sea-level rise and storm surge on low-lying coastal developments. In addition, critical examination will need to be given to drainage, storm water and sewerage infrastructure where significant rainfall intensity is projected. As a result of this study the Academy is of the view that impacts from climate change, arising from either natural causes or from greenhouse gas emissions, can provide significant challenges for the future physical security and operation of various categories of Australia’s physical infrastructure. This is the view of a very substantial majority of those who participated in the ATSE study. The study concluded that further intensified research and related studies are required for these critical areas of infrastructure."