Climate change in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Climate Resilience Plan sets out the Northern Territory Government’s priorities and actions.

It focuses on:

• promoting the Territory’s role in the global energy transition
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• strengthening resilience to the impacts of a changing climate.

The Plan takes a practical and balanced approach. It enables economic growth while supporting action to decarbonise and adapt to change.

Read the Northern Territory Climate Resilience Plan PDF (177.2 KB)

A strong regulatory framework is helping to reduce emissions.

In the Northern Territory, greenhouse gas emissions are assessed under the Environment Protection Act 2019. The Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism also requires large emitters to reduce emissions and reach net zero by 2050.

Read the Regulatory Statement: Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the NT PDF (189.2 KB)

The Northern Territory Climate Resilience Plan provides clear direction and supports industry to meet these requirements.

The Northern Territory is already experiencing the impacts of a changing climate.

Managing risk means strengthening how communities, businesses, industries and systems prepare for and respond to change.

This includes:

• protecting critical infrastructure and essential services
• helping people understand risks to better prepare for climate-related change
• planning for the long term.

Taking practical steps now will support a strong economy and help maintain the Territory way of life.

The Northern Territory Climate Resilience Plan sets priorities for building resilience and targeted adaptation.

The National Adaptation Plan supports coordinated action across governments, sectors and communities.

The Northern Territory is well positioned to grow industries that support decarbonisation locally, nationally and internationally.

This creates opportunities to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen the Territory’s role in a low-emissions future. These opportunities position the Territory to benefit from the global shift to a low-emissions economy.

By building on its strengths, the Territory can become a competitive and reliable supplier of low‑emissions energy and products.

Key strengths include:

• world-class gas, solar, and wind resources
• critical minerals for the energy transition

• NT EPA – environmental impact technical guidance (Atmospheric processes)
• NT Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offsets Policy
• Australian Government – Climate Change
• National Environmental Science Program – Climate Systems Hub