Government investment in climate resilience: employment and productivity outcomes

In 2025, Renew Australia collectively developed and launched the Climate Safety Plan (‘the Plan’), a package of initiatives designed to strengthen Australia’s resilience to climate change and prepare for the risks outlined in the National Climate Risk Assessment. The Plan proposes policy asks spanning built environment; health; insurance; emergency management; community resilience; food and agriculture; workers' rights; and income support. The investment of approximately $16 billion per year through 2035 across public and private sources spans four key areas: 1) Full funding for community services and local government; 2) A resilient health and emergency services system; 3) Climate proof homes, schools and workplaces; and 4) Secure farming and food supply. ISF and Climate-KIC Australia were commissioned to evaluate the productivity and job creation impacts of these four key areas of the Climate Safety Plan based on literature review and employment modelling.