CANBERRA – Australia must urgently establish a national institute to coordinate the national response to climate change, the country’s top scientists have said.

The National Committee for Earth System Science (NCESS), part of the Australian Academy of Science, an NGO, on Monday recommended the federal government establish an Australian Institute for Earth System Science.

Under the model proposed by NCESS, the institute would be responsible for the long-term national monitoring, strategy and implementation of Australian climate science research.

NCESS has warned that Australia will struggle to achieve net zero emissions, mitigate natural disaster risks and ensure water security and continued agricultural success unless the national approach to scientific research into the climate is not updated.

“A unifying agency is needed to fill critical gaps in our understanding of Australia’s climate and the impacts of change, and to support and engage the excellent individual researchers we have,” said NCESS President and Australia Council Director Andy Pitman. of research. Center of Excellence for Climate Extremes, said in a statement.

The creation of the new institute was the first of 14 recommendations in a 10-year plan for Australian Earth system science released by the committee on Monday.

Pitman said Australia must have ambition, organization and leadership to answer questions such as how best to support the transition to net zero emissions, which places in the country are most at risk from changes sudden changes in weather and climate and the exposure of cities to climatic extremes. can be managed.

“By implementing the recommendations in this plan, Australia can lay the foundations for much more robust and actionable climate intelligence,” he said.

The 10-year plan calls on Australia to work with its regional neighbors in the Pacific and beyond to address weaknesses in existing climate projections and build understanding and understanding.