Climate Change – Science Snapshot 2025: An Overview for Australian Directors

As climate risks intensify, clear, science-based insights support Australian directors in guiding strategic decision making.

The AICD, in collaboration with the national science agency CSIRO, has developed this March 2025 snapshot to provide directors with the latest climate science, supporting informed boardroom discussions on scenario analysis, risk management, and transition planning.

Australia’s climate is changing rapidly. The country has already warmed by more than 1.5°C since the mid-19th century, outpacing the global average. The risks to organisations, communities, and ecosystems are escalating, driven by more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Meanwhile, global carbon dioxide emissions remain high, with warming expected to exceed 1.5°C by the end of the decade.

This resource provides directors with key insights on:

• Key climate change concepts – The fundamentals of climate science and its relevance to governance.
• Future global outlook – Emissions trends and the projected impacts of different warming scenarios.
• Australia’s changing climate – The risks and challenges facing Australian businesses, communities, and ecosystems.
• Key questions for boards – Practical guidance to strengthen scenario analysis and strategic planning.

To effectively integrate climate risks into governance, boards should evaluate how the latest climate science informs their strategy and risk management. This includes assessing whether scenario analyses are robust and aligned with Paris Agreement goals, identifying the scientific assumptions underpinning transition plans, and ensuring both the board and management team are upskilling on climate risks.

Access the snapshot here.