Over the past decade, climate-related hazards have increasingly disrupted organisational operations, leading to significant financial and operational challenges.
Our recent survey highlights that while the majority of participating organisations have commenced their climate readiness journey to address the climate-related risks, most are still in the planning stages and encounter substantial barriers such as budget constraints, limited resources, and inadequate data.
How prepared are Australian organisations for climate-related risks?
Spatial Vision believes there is an immediate need and value in developing a perspective of organisational readiness – it is a matter of national interest to support the life blood of our economy and help them tackle the far-reaching effects of climate changes. From our 25 years experience, we know it takes time to establish your risk profile – to fully understand the potential and real risks created by climate-related impact, either small or significant. Until you complete an assessment, you are really flying blind and impacting your business sustainability or potentially missing out on opportunities.
How have climate-related hazards impacted the operation of your organisation in the past 10 years?
How many dedicated Full Time Equivalent (FTE) resources are responsible for climate change activities in your organisation?
In your organisation, who is driving action on climate change?
Where is your organisation on its climate readiness journey?
What does it take to be ‘best-in-class’?
What roadblocks and challenges do you face in embedding or progressing climate change action within your organisation?
While awareness of climate risks is growing in the commercial sector, significant gaps remain in action and preparedness.
From flash floods to extreme heat, councils across the country are grappling with both the immediate and long-term effects of a changing climate.
What does it take to be well on the road to climate impact readiness? (In our opinion!)
Among all our respondents there were just two organisations that ticked the boxes.
Corangamite CMA
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is proactively integrating climate adaptation strategies into catchment management. Over the past decade, the CMA has responded to various climate challenges, including floods, fires, coastal inundation, extreme heat, and droughts, while working closely with farmers and other land managers.
“We are already seeing the impacts of climate change so we are applying various approaches to ensure the region’s natural assets can adapt.”
Through proactive planning, strategic funding approaches and leveraging both historical knowledge and new climate adaptation tools, the Corangamite CMA is positioning itself as a leader in climate resilience.
Dalton Consulting Engineers (DCE)
Dalton Consulting Engineers (DCE) is a specialist civil engineering consulting firm, focusing on roads, drainage, and earthworks. The firm also undertakes project management, with a strong expertise in stormwater management. Their clients, many of whom are irrigators, rely on DCE for desktop studies, computer modelling, and strategic advice to address surface water challenges.
“Our most cutting-edge work for ourselves is calculating our own carbon footprint. It underscores our commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship.”
Dalton Consulting Engineers is proactively integrating climate considerations into civil engineering solutions. From improving surface water management to leveraging regulatory frameworks, the firm is helping clients mitigate risks and optimise water use.
While broader corporate engagement with climate risk remains a challenge, DCE continues to refine its approach, ensuring its expertise translates into resilient, sustainable outcomes for clients.
The results presented in this report were drawn from the Spatial Vision Climate Action Barometer Survey, open to public participation during October – November 2024.
