Submissions
Submissions to government inquiries and strategy reviews inform decision-makers about the latest climate and weather science. These submissions are a key avenue through which 21st Century Weather informs policy.
Building on the legacy of our predecessor organisation, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, we continue to bring scientific evidence to the forefront of policy discussions on emissions reduction, climate resilience, adaptation, and the future of our climate and weather.
Our submissions address the critical need for long-term climate research, sovereign capability in weather modelling, and integrated planning to support Australia’s energy transition.
2025
Follow the links below to access the latest submissions made by 21st Century Weather.
Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy
21st Century Weather’s submission to Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy 2026-30 calls for urgent, coordinated action to cut emissions and adapt to a warming climate, emphasising the life-and-death stakes of worsening heatwaves, fires, and storms.
Drawing on cutting-edge research, the Centre outlines how improved climate modelling, enhanced healthcare and infrastructure, and smarter energy planning can help protect Victorians and support a resilient, net-zero future.
Strategic Examination of Research and Development
21st Century Weather’s submission to the Strategic Examination of Research and Development warns that Australia is at risk of losing its sovereign ability to deliver essential climate knowledge, due to fragmented research funding, outdated computing infrastructure, and the absence of a national strategy.
The Centre calls for urgent, coordinated investment in climate science, high-performance computing, and data systems to support informed decision-making across government, industry, and communities.
Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program
In this submission, 21st Century Weather supports the proposed reforms to the National Competitive Grants Program, particularly the shift away from siloed research categories and the focus on collaborative, scalable funding schemes.
However, the Centre raises concerns about the removal of DECRAs, embedded fellowships, and the influence of shifting government priorities, calling for clearer guidelines and deeper sector consultation to ensure sustainable, high-impact research outcomes.