Climate Change Role Statement
Learn more about how the EPA is contributing to South Australia’s response to climate change by clicking on drop down boxes below or by downloading the Climate Change: The EPA’s role in supporting South Australia’s response to climate change 2021−25.
Challenge and context
Challenge
Climate change is a change in weather patterns over long periods of time.
The Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO reported in the State of the Climate 2020 that average temperatures across Australia are now warmer than in the past, are projected to increase and that in the coming decades Australia will continue to experience underlying natural variability
Projected trends for climate-related changes in South Australia (Green & Pannell 2020) indicate that South Australia will become hotter and drier with more frequent and intense extreme weather events. There will be more heat extremes, a decrease in average annual rainfall, more time in drought, a longer fire season, rising sea levels and more intense heavy rainfall events. These changes will have impacts on not just the environment but also communities, business, industries and infrastructure.
Context
Taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change is shared responsibility between government, business, the education sector and the community.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) supports the Directions for a Climate Smart South Australia and implementation of the South Australian Government Climate Change Action Plan 2021−2025 (Climate Change Action Plan).
The EPA is committed to several actions within the Climate Change Action Plan.
The 2021 EPA Board Summit, Climate change: risks, liabilities and remedies, brought business leaders and experts together to share their knowledge and raise awareness of risks and opportunities for small to medium businesses. Event polling indicated that while some small to medium businesses have started to adapt, or are likely to take adaptation action, they would benefit from tools and information to support their responses.
The Directions for a Climate Smart South Australia, released in 2019, is a policy statement that sets the government's agenda for practical, on-ground action to address climate-related impacts.
The Climate Change Action Plan, released December 2020, implements the Directions for a Climate Smart South Australia. It describes the government-led objectives and actions to help to build a strong, climate smart economy, further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support South Australia to adapt to a changing climate. Its development was led by the Department for Environment and Water.
EPA role
The EPA is South Australia independent environment protection regulator, and is established by the Environment Protection Act 1993 (EP Act). This Act provides the EPA with a mandate and set of powers to protect, restore, and enhance the quality of the environment having regard to principles of ecologically sustainable development, requiring progressive environmental improvements and promoting the circulation of materials, among many others.
The EPA fulfils this mandate predominantly though the risk-based regulation of pollution and waste management activities, and implementing policies that promote the circulation of materials.
In administering the EP Act, the EPA:
provides regulatory and co-regulatory services
shares its science and trends on environmental quality
provides information and advice.
In the coming years, the focus for the EPA in relation to climate change will be on adaptive responses, strengthening the regulatory framework for the circulation of materials and sharing science and trends. This will be driven predominantly through the Climate Change Action Plan.
The opportunity – links between EPA role and approach for 2021–25
The EPA is a risk-based regulator experienced in responding to emerging risks. The evidence is clear.
Exposure to climate-related changes, such as coastal inundation, flooding from extreme rainfall, heat, bushfire and dust, can alter the risk of environmental harm from pollution or waste management activities. Design, location, and operational controls that reduce exposure to climate-related changes or improve resilience to such changes, will become increasingly important.
By adapting to the changing climate, individuals, communities, businesses and the environment can become more resilient to the consequences of more frequent and extreme weather events.
A circular economy that keeps material resources in use or maximise the use of existing material, reduce dependence on new raw materials, reduce waste, and importantly also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Driving initiatives that promote and extend the circulation of materials will contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions and realise further sustainable economic growth and development opportunities.
Approach for 2021−25
The EPA's approach for years 2021–25 is set out below via a series of statements. The examples provide more detail on how it intends to deliver on its approach.
Statements marked with an asterisk (*) denotes a link to an action that the EPA has committed to, or will contribute to, in the Climate Change Action Plan.
EPA approach | Examples |
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1. Work with Environment Protection Act 1993 licensees to understand climate-change risk and liabilities and enable adoption of risk management strategies*. |
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2. Assess how climate-related changes such as sea level rise and more frequent and extreme weather events, increase risk to, or alter the environmental impact of the proposed development, referred for direction or advice*. |
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3. Deliver a stronger regulatory framework to reduce waste and encourage greater reuse of materials to support a circular economy*. |
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4. Work collaboratively across government and with co-regulators, where necessary, to consider risks of new and emerging technology and our regulatory approach. |
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EPA approach | Examples |
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5. Build on science and information capability to better understand the potential impacts of climate change and to provide information to support government, community, and licensees. |
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6. Contribute to knowledge about the condition of our natural resources and trends in environmental quality. |
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EPA approach | Examples |
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7. Encourage licensees to adapt and build resilience to climate-change risks, including responses that maintain or gain social licence. |
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8. Contribute, where required, to South Australian Government initiatives in the Climate Change Action Plan*. 9. Consider climate change when providing legislation and policy advice. |
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Further information, references and review
Check out the following links for more information about:
- Climate change including potential impacts for South Australia and the South Australian Government Climate Change Action Plan 2021
- South Australian State of the Environment Reports
- 2021 EPA Board Summit
- South Australia's air quality
For latest version of legislation mentioned in this document, go to www.legislation.sa.gov.au, and search for the name of the Act.
References
CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology 2020, State of the Climate 2020
Environment Protection Act 1993
Government of South Australia 2020, Directions for a Climate Smart South Australia
Government of South Australia 2020, South Australian Government Climate Change Action Plan 2021
Green G and Pannell A 2020, Guide to Climate Projections for Risk Assessment and Planning in South Australia, Department for Environment and Water, Adelaide.
Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
Review
A review of Climate Change: EPA’s role in supporting South Australia’s response to climate change 2021−25 will occur every 2 years with first review to commence 2023.