Clean Energy Future

Regions planning for the impacts of climate change and the potential adaptation measures they could take will be assisted by a new round of grants.

The $8 million Natural Resource Management (NRM) Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Grants Program will fund partnerships between research institutions and regional NRM organisations.

“Understanding the impacts of a changing climate at a regional level is important to guide sustainable land management,” Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, said as he launched the program.

“Changes in temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events will affect water availability, water and soil quality, fire risk and the incidence of pests, weeds and disease.”

Under the program, $8 million in funding from carbon price revenue will be provided over four years to ensure NRM organisations are informed on climate change, its impacts and potential adaptation responses.

“This program will improve the capacity of regional organisations to plan for climate change and capitalise on the opportunities provided by the Governmentís Carbon Farming Initiative and the Biodiversity Fund,” Mr Dreyfus said.

The Impacts and Adaptation Grants Program is part of Stream 2 of the Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund – part of the Governmentís Clean Energy Future package.

The $44 million Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund will support regional NRM organisations to develop plans to guide where carbon farming projects should be located in the landscape. These can also be used by landholders to identify and develop activities to reduce carbon pollution.

Eligible research institutions can apply for funding under the Impacts and Adaptation Grants Program from today.