NSW councils are key players in adaptation to climate change. They have responsibility for a broad range of functions that are likely to be affected, such as public infrastructure, local emergency responses, building regulation and planning, public health and environmental management.

With each local government area having a unique set of geographical, environmental, economic and social circumstances, the effects and risks of climate change will differ. Early planning and preparation can minimise long-term economic, social and environmental costs to communities.

For this reason, the NSW Government has provided the following information for councils to help residents understand, prepare for and minimise the impacts of future extreme events and hazards caused by climate change.

Identifying climate risks and vulnerabilities

• A Guide to Climate Change Risk Assessment
• Integrated Regional Vulnerability Assessments
• Regional Climate Data
• Adaptation Planning for Local Government checklist

• Minimising the impact of extreme heat: A guide for local government
• Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Grants program
• Building Resilience to Climate Change Grants program
• Leading land-use case studies by local government
• Data from our Urban Heat and Green Cover Baseline Assessment, available through NSW Government’s SEED portal
• The NSW Adaptation Research Hub
• NSW Local Government Climate Change Survey (2018)
• NSW Local Government progress and needs in adapting to climate change Survey (2015)