Climate Change

Australian and international research organisations agree that the world's climate is changing. Some of these changes have been linked to human influences due to the use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. The burning of fossil fuels is causing an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases and consequent warming of the atmosphere. Observed changes in climate include an increase in average temperatures, a decrease in cold temperature extremes, an increase in warm temperature extremes, an increase in extreme high sea levels and an increase in the number of intense rainfall events in some area.

Adapting to changes in the earth's climate means making adjustments to decisions and activities in order to manage risks and capture potential opportunities associated with the changing climate.

Council’s Climate Change Position Statement (2022) and further background information can be found here...(PDF, 340KB)

In June 2020 Council adopted a Climate Change Response Framework(PDF, 68KB). This framework shows what plans and policies Council has in place to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of Climate Change. It also shows plans and policies which are in preparation and those which are yet to commence, nested within relevant state policy and legislation.

A key policy document within the framework is the Bathurst Regional Council Emissions Reduction Plan(PDF, 3MB)  adopted in August 2022. With the aim of reaching Net Zero Emissions by 2050, the plan includes interim targets of 25% reduction in emissions by 2025 and 60% reduction in emissions by 2035. The interim reduction targets are in comparison to the baseline year – 2019 when Council’s emissions were 47,459 t CO2e.

Adapt NSW has produced an interactive tool to allow members of the community to investigate predicted climate change impacts for their region. Further detail on climate projections for the Central West and Orana region can be found at the Adapt NSW website.

The Australian Conservation Foundation, working with the Australian National University, has also produced an interactive tool for exploring predictions for specific localities in Australia.