A rocky coastline with turquoise waves crashing against the shore under a heavy, overcast sky. Dense green shrubs fill the foreground, while houses and low buildings sit along the cliffs in the distance. The scene looks windswept and moody, with dark clouds and choppy surf.

Masterclass in 21st Century Weather: Untangling climate risk assessments

When reviewing climate risk assessments, can you confidently interpret the information? Are you aware of the assumptions used? 

Whether you are responsible for decisions made or are a team member providing input to inform decision-making, our 2026 Masterclass will build your skills: learn to critically evaluate climate information and risk assessments, challenge assumptions, and confidently distinguish fact from belief to improve your organisation’s climate resilience.

21st Century Weather’s 2026 Masterclass will take place at Adelaide Zoo at the Plane Tree Centre, on Thursday 6 August from 9:30am, for a 10am start till 4pm.

Attendance of the event is free of charge, but spaces are limited. Register here.

Why should you attend?

We are in a fairly impossible situation.

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is heating up our climate, and CO2 stays in the atmosphere for a really long time. Like compound interest, CO2 has a cumulative effect year on year. More carbon in the atmosphere keeps things extra toasty, which is bad news for heatwaves. In Australia, the intensity, frequency and duration of heatwaves will continue to increase over the next 1000 years, even if we reach net zero. (Watch 21st Century Weather’s Prof Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick expand on this.)

And even if we reach net zero – and we must get there fast  – we need to adapt. But how can we choose the best adaptation action? 

Government, utilities and businesses must make the best decisions possible, based on the imperfect information they have at the time. This requires recognising the limits of what we know about the future of a changing climate.  

To decide on the best adaptation option, you need choices. This requires gathering as much relevant information, data and perspectives as possible, because incomplete information can lead to flawed decisions.

Committing to a course of action also involves assessing options against your own objectives, risks and benefits. It goes beyond regulatory implications and affects business and service continuity and long-term resilience.

Climate risk assessments and resulting adaptation actions must be reviewed continuously to assess whether the problem has changed, the decision delivered as intended, and to pivot if needed.

Masterclass Agenda

Coming soon. Please check back later for a detailed agenda.