Northern Territory Climate Action

Northern Territory Climate Action

Climate change impacts are already being experienced across the Territory. Over the last century, annual average temperatures across the Territory have increased by 0.5°C in the west and 2.2°C in the south-east. There has been a significant increase in the number of extremely hot days, in both the Top End and central Australia.
Climate modelling indicates that these trends will continue. While average rainfall has remained fairly consistent in the southern parts of the Territory, it has increased in the Top End. Higher sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification pose significant threats to the marine environment.

By 2030, 50% of total electricity used by consumers connected to the Territory’s power grids will be supplied through renewable energy sources. The Territory has the capacity to generate more solar energy than it requires. This opportunity can be harnessed to deliver net zero emission and low-cost electricity to major industrial consumers, establishing a critical global competitive advantage.

The Territory Government has partnered with the CSIRO, the Australian Government and the City of Darwin to establish the Darwin Living Lab. This 10-year initiative aims to identify measurable improvements in the city’s liveability, sustainability and resilience through testing and evaluating heat mitigation measures. It will inform tropical urban design for Darwin and other tropical centres.