New Climate Change Study for Indigenous Communities

The Rudd Government is to embark on a new study a study to assess how climate change will impact on Indigenous communities in northern Australia

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong says Indigenous communities located in the tropical north face particular challenges because of their isolation and socio-economic situation.

Senator Wong says currently there is a limited understanding of how climate change will affect Indigenous communities, their resilience and their capacity to adapt.

She says the study will examine the impacts to health, the environment, infrastructure, education and employment and identify knowledge gaps and priorities for future research and on-ground actions for Indigenous communities.

It will examine opportunities for Indigenous communities in areas such as fire abatement schemes and the value of Indigenous knowledge in adapting to climate change.

The Minister says when the completed, this study will provide a valuable resource for determining what actions need to be taken to reduce the impact of climate change on these communities.

The study will be conducted by the University of New South Wales together with CSIRO, the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance and other research organisations and it is expected to be completed by April 2009.

The Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation and Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Artsare co-funding the study with the Department of Climate Change.

Support is being provided by other Australian Government departments, including Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Department of Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.