Submissions
Submissions to government inquiries and strategy reviews inform decision-makers about the latest climate and weather science. These submissions are a key avenue through which 21st Century Weather informs policy.
Building on the legacy of our predecessor organisation, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, we continue to bring scientific evidence to the forefront of policy discussions on emissions reduction, climate resilience, adaptation, and the future of our climate and weather.
Our submissions address the critical need for long-term climate research, sovereign capability in weather modelling, and integrated planning to support Australia’s energy transition.
2025
Follow the links below to access the latest submissions made by 21st Century Weather.
Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy
21st Century Weather’s submission to Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy 2026-30 calls for urgent, coordinated action to cut emissions and adapt to a warming climate, emphasising the life-and-death stakes of worsening heatwaves, fires, and storms.
Drawing on cutting-edge research, the Centre outlines how improved climate modelling, enhanced healthcare and infrastructure, and smarter energy planning can help protect Victorians and support a resilient, net-zero future.
Strategic Examination of Research and Development
21st Century Weather’s submission to the Strategic Examination of Research and Development warns that Australia is at risk of losing its sovereign ability to deliver essential climate knowledge, due to fragmented research funding, outdated computing infrastructure, and the absence of a national strategy.
The Centre calls for urgent, coordinated investment in climate science, high-performance computing, and data systems to support informed decision-making across government, industry, and communities.
Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program
In this submission, 21st Century Weather supports the proposed reforms to the National Competitive Grants Program, particularly the shift away from siloed research categories and the focus on collaborative, scalable funding schemes.
However, the Centre raises concerns about the removal of DECRAs, embedded fellowships, and the influence of shifting government priorities, calling for clearer guidelines and deeper sector consultation to ensure sustainable, high-impact research outcomes.
Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy
In this submission, 21st Century Weather highlights the risks posed by climate and energy misinformation. The Centre outlines how false narratives threaten scientific institutions, reduce the quality of public policy, and undermine Australia’s sovereign capability.
Drawing lessons from recent international examples, the submission warns that cuts to data access, research capacity, and international cooperation would leave Australia less prepared for high-impact weather and long-term climate change.
Climate Change Authority – Issues Paper
In this submission, 21st Century Weather stresses the urgency of rapid, sustained emissions reductions and warns that global warming is virtually certain to surpass 1.5°C without stronger action.
The Centre calls for major investment in weather and climate science, high-quality monitoring networks, and stronger assessment of fossil fuel projects to ensure Australia’s transition to renewables is scientifically sound, resilient, and aligned with net zero targets.
Inquiry into the National Climate Risk Assessment
In this submission, 21st Century Weather highlights the critical need for timely, transparent, and ongoing national climate risk assessments.
The submission calls for stronger consultation with the scientific community, continuous updates as climate science evolves, and investment in national capacity, from coordinated research and high-performance computing to resilient monitoring networks.
It stresses that future-proofing Australia requires not only assessing climate risks but also sustaining the science that underpins sound policy, adaptation, and the transition to net zero.
