UNSW launches Institute for Climate Risk & Response

A new research institute will offer advice to industry on how to assess and respond to climate change.

Experts and industry leaders in the field of climate change gathered together recently for the launch of the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR). The new institute will support the activities of UNSW researchers from the faculties of Science, Business and Law & Justice.

The UNSW has a huge amount of expertise and solutions to offer in the fight against climate change, says Director of the UNSW ICRR, Professor Ben Newell (pictured aboove).

“The ICRR will work with business and government to leverage this expertise and provide advice on how to respond to climate risks,” he says.  

UNSW Provost, Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic says the ICRR represents a bold statement by UNSW about its commitment to addressing climate risk and working with industry.

“The research developed by the institute will help create a new generation of climate-literate leaders and managers in industry and government,” Prof. Perkovic says. “They will be … able to understand and communicate complex climate information into actionable and effective solutions as we seek to mitigate and adapt to climate risks.”

In addition to providing advice and support to industry, the new  ICRR will have a research agenda and provide lifelong-learning and professional education.

“UNSW consulted extensively with business and government in planning the new institute. It has become clear to us what industry needs help with to address climate risk, and what UNSW can do to achieve this,” Prof. Newell says.

The three main research areas the institute will focus on are: informing industry practice and policy, predicting human behaviour, and meeting regulatory standards regarding climate change.

Informing industry practice and policy: The institute will help business and government interpret climate science, provide guidance on what climate science can be trusted and how to integrate it into their business models.

“We will help explain climate science data and information to industry in a way that can be used to inform industry practice and policy and be communicated to employees, customers and the public,” Prof. Newell says.

“Assisting industry in this way will provide them with confidence about the quality and effectiveness of their planning and decision-making and communications with stakeholders.”

Predicting human behaviour: How human behaviours change in response to climate risks will have enormous implications for how government and business should plan for and manage economic activity and consumer behaviour, among others.

“Behavioural science will be a major focus for the institute,” Prof. Newell says.

“Linking models of human behaviour with economic and climate models is crucial for improving our projections about what the future holds. Putting behavioural scientists, climate scientists and economists in the room together allows us to tackle this challenge in innovative ways that can drive solutions for business and government.”

Another ICRR project examines what consumers think about climate risks related to real-estate purchases. Pilot experimental work is assessing people’s willingness to pay where properties are more susceptible or prone to climate related perils. These results will help inform best-practice for communicating risk-related information to consumers.

Meeting regulatory standards regarding climate change: The institute will assist industry in navigating and implementing regulations and standards – both local and international – pertaining to climate risk. It will advise on measuring and evaluating their effectiveness with confidence.

The ICRR will assist industry by providing applied research that points to best practice and policy, and by establishing educational programs and advice that better upskill and prepare industry.

The institute is already in discussion with accounting and other professional bodies to develop professional training and accreditation.

Other work is focusing on identifying and understanding the legal risks attached to climate change by linking it to matters such as class action and climate litigation.

“Climate change is not a problem for the future, it is happening now.  The new institute is dedicated to helping industry and government act fast as we face the risks and seize the opportunities of our changing world,” Prof. Newell says.

Image courtesy of UNSW.