# Environment & Climate of Australia

**Parent:** [Australia.md](../Australia.md)  
**Authoritative source:** [Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)](https://www.bom.gov.au) · [Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)](https://www.dcceew.gov.au)

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## Climate Zones

Australia spans multiple climate zones due to its vast size. The dominant characteristic of the continent is **aridity** — approximately 70% is arid or semi-arid.

| Climate Zone | Location | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical | North QLD, NT, northern WA | Hot & wet summers (monsoon), dry winters |
| Subtropical | SE QLD, northern NSW | Warm year-round, moderate rainfall |
| Semi-arid | Interior NSW, SA, WA | Hot summers, cold winters, low rainfall |
| Arid (Desert) | Central Australia | Extreme heat, very low rainfall |
| Temperate (Oceanic) | Victoria, southern NSW, SA | Four seasons, moderate rainfall |
| Mediterranean | SW WA, SA | Hot dry summers, cool wet winters |
| Alpine | Snowy Mountains (NSW/VIC) | Cold winters with snowfall |

**Live weather data:** [bom.gov.au](https://www.bom.gov.au)

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## Climate Risks

### Bushfire
Australia has the most fire-prone vegetation on Earth. Major fire seasons:
- **2019–2020 Black Summer:** ~18.6 million hectares burned; >3 billion animals affected
- **Monitoring:** NSW RFS ([rfs.nsw.gov.au](https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au)), AFAC ([afac.com.au](https://www.afac.com.au))

### Flood
Cyclical flooding linked to La Niña events, particularly in QLD, NSW, and VIC.
- **Agency:** State Emergency Service (SES), Bureau of Meteorology

### Drought
El Niño-driven dry cycles regularly affect agriculture and water security.
- **Agency:** Bureau of Meteorology — [Drought Monitor](https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/drought)

### Coral Bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef has undergone repeated mass bleaching events (2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024) linked to marine heatwaves.
- **Authority:** Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
- **URL:** [gbrmpa.gov.au](https://www.gbrmpa.gov.au)

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## Climate Policy

| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Climate Change Act 2022 | Legislates 43% emissions reduction by 2030 (on 2005 levels); net-zero by 2050 |
| Safeguard Mechanism | Emissions cap on Australia's largest industrial facilities |
| Renewable Energy Target | 82% renewable electricity by 2030 |
| Carbon Credits | Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) — administered by Clean Energy Regulator |

**Key authority:** [dcceew.gov.au](https://www.dcceew.gov.au)  
**Clean Energy Regulator:** [cer.gov.au](https://www.cer.gov.au)

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## Key Environmental Legislation

| Act | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) | Protects matters of national environmental significance |
| Climate Change Act 2022 | Net-zero emissions by 2050; annual accountability |
| National Environmental Protection Measures (NEPM) | Air, water, noise, hazardous waste standards |
| Water Act 2007 | Murray-Darling Basin water management |

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## Protected Areas

- **National Parks:** >500 nationally across states and territories
- **World Heritage Areas:** 20 in Australia (inc. Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu, Daintree)
- **Marine protected areas:** ~36% of Australian waters in the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA)
- **Ramsar wetlands:** 65 internationally significant wetland sites

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## Authoritative Sources

| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Bureau of Meteorology | <https://www.bom.gov.au> |
| DCCEEW — Climate & Environment | <https://www.dcceew.gov.au> |
| Clean Energy Regulator | <https://www.cer.gov.au> |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority | <https://www.gbrmpa.gov.au> |
| CSIRO — Climate Science | <https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environment/climate> |
| State of the Environment Report (DCCEEW) | <https://soe.dcceew.gov.au> |
| Murray-Darling Basin Authority | <https://www.mdba.gov.au> |