Embedding Climate Risk in Enterprise Risk Assessment
Many councils recognise the growing importance of climate risk but lack the practical frameworks, tools, and capability to embed it into their enterprise risk management (ERM) processes. The Embedding Climate Risk in Council Enterprise Risk Management project is designed to close that gap.
Delivered through a collaboration between the NSW Government, Hunter Joint Organisation, and councils across the Hunter region, the initiative focuses on making climate risk more actionable at the local level. Central to this is the NSW’s Government’s NARCliM 2.0, which provides high-resolution projections of climate risks such as extreme heat, rainfall variability, and fire weather, alongside the NSW Coastal Erosion and Inundation Assessment.
The project aims to translate complex climate data to be more accessible, relevant, and usable for risk-based decision-making for councils. A practical step-by-step Toolkit and supporting resources are being co-developed with councils to help integrate climate risk into existing ERM frameworks. An iterative, on-the-ground approach grounded in co-design, testing, and refinement ensures the outputs are practical, fit-for-purpose, and ready to apply in the local government context.
By building both capability and confidence, the project is helping councils move from recognising climate risk to embedding it in core governance and decision-making, laying the foundation for more resilient communities.
The Embedding Climate Risk in Council Enterprise Risk Management project is expected to be completed by November 2026, and outputs will be shared across NSW local government networks once available. To get involved or find out more, check out the project factsheet or reach out to Anna Flack at annaf@hunterjo.nsw.gov.au.
This project is funded by the NSW Government under the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
Previous Resources
2010 Coastal Councils – Adaptation Plan
This report identifies regionally common risks arising from climate change for coastal councils in the Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast region of NSW. These include Greater Taree, Great Lakes, Port Stephens, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wyong and Gosford Councils. The report identifies regional opportunities for collaboration across these councils for responding to climate change. Download Here
2010 Rural Councils – Adaptation Plan
This report identifies regionally common risks arising from climate change for rural councils in the Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast region of NSW. These include Cessnock, Dungog, Gloucester, Greater Taree, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton, and Upper Hunter councils. The report builds on the adaptation actions previously identified by individual councils by identifying regional opportunities for collaboration across these councils for responding to climate change. Download Here
2012 Decision Support for Coastal Adaptation: The Kit
This kit provides a practical resource for Council staff determining decisions or work plans for coastal areas. The kit includes:
