Lobbying groups warn NT security is at risk without climate change action

Environmental groups say a soon-to-be released National Climate Risk assessment will highlight NT security risks.

Australian Army Reserve soldier Private Barry Lu from 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment keeps watch during a patrol near the Darwin Rifle Club during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

Climate groups warn the climate crisis could render northern Australia defence bases as “inoperable” in the future causing a major national security problem.

In a submission to the National Climate Risk assessment, a new environmental organisation said governments could be wasting their money on northern defence bases if they fail to act on climate change.

The warnings from the newly formed northern Australia Conservation Alliance come a few days before the National Climate Risk assessment is expected to be released.

In their submission, northern Australia Conservation Alliance quote the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group report, Too Hot to Handle.

The report warns that due to lack of action across Australia to address emissions, large areas of northern Australia, including much of the Northern Territory, could be unlivable within 40 years.

Temperatures in areas like Bradshaw Field Training Area are expected to soar if emissions are not curbed states the Too Hot to Handle report. Picture: Sarah Taggett.

Once the average global warming has reached 2.7C, the report warns that places like Katherine, Darwin and Bradshaw field training area could experience a dramatic increase in the number of days over 35C and 40C.

In 2022, Katherine experienced 210 days over 35C heat. However this is expected rise to over 300 days by 2090 with 100 days a year going over 40C.

The reports states this rise in temperatures could cause operation issues and impact on civilian infrastructure and liveability.

If many areas in the Northern Territory are predicted to become “unlivable”, experts ask in the report whether government should rethink its spending on bolstering its northern bases when they are likely to become “inoperable for long periods”.

Environment Centre Northern Territory (ECNT) executive director Kirsty Howey said the report will show a “fundamental national security risk”. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Environment Centre NT executive director, Kirsty Howey, said the releasing of the National Climate Risk assessment should show the risk to the future of the Territory.

“Australia’s top security leaders have warned that much of northern Australia will be unlivable due to climate change,” Ms Howey said.

“This is a fundamental national security risk.”

Environment Centre NT also drew attention to the removal of the implementation plan for achieving net-zero emissions for the Territory by 2050 from the government’s website.

On the NT Government website, it states “action items for the Climate Change Response: Towards 2050 are currently under review”.

The environmental body allege that this could confirm reports that the government’s climate change response office is going to be shut down.

“It’s hypocrisy for the Finocchiaro Government to claim they are protecting the Territory lifestyle when no one will be able to live here thanks to their climate change denial,” Ms Howey added.

The Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro signed a historic strategic agreement with INPEX Corporation’s senior executive vice president, Oceania Projects Head, Hitoshi Okawa in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon.

However Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro, said the government remains dedicated to achieving net zero by 2050 in the Territory.

In her trip to Japan, she signed a strategic agreement with INPEX Corporation’s senior executive vice president, Oceania Projects Head, Hitoshi Okawa in Tokyo, which she said would help the Territory deliver on this promise.

Originally published as Lobbying groups warn NT security is at risk without climate change action