Product Overview

Summary: This Climate Resilient Planning Standard Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical framework for embedding climate risk management into everyday business decision-making. It helps Australian organisations systematically assess climate-related threats, plan adaptive measures, and protect assets, people, and operations from increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

The Climate Resilient Planning Standard Operating Procedure is designed for Australian organisations seeking to move beyond ad‑hoc responses to extreme weather and climate variability. With bushfires, floods, heatwaves and severe storms becoming more frequent and intense, businesses need a consistent and defensible method for understanding climate risks and integrating them into strategic and operational planning. This SOP provides that method, with clear steps for identifying climate hazards, assessing exposure and vulnerability, prioritising actions, and embedding resilience measures into policies, projects and day‑to‑day operations.

The document is tailored to the Australian regulatory and climatic context, aligning with contemporary expectations under WHS legislation, risk management standards and ESG reporting frameworks. It helps organisations connect climate resilience with business continuity, asset management, workforce safety and supply chain stability. By implementing this SOP, you create a repeatable process for climate‑informed decision‑making, support board‑level oversight of climate risk, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers. The result is a more resilient organisation that can continue operating safely and efficiently before, during and after climate‑related disruptions.

Key Benefits

• Identify and prioritise climate-related risks to people, assets, operations and supply chains across Australian conditions.
• Integrate climate resilience into strategic planning, project approvals, WHS risk assessments and business continuity arrangements.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients, investors and insurers through a documented, repeatable climate risk process.
• Reduce disruption, downtime and recovery costs associated with extreme weather and long-term climate impacts.
• Support informed investment in adaptation measures such as infrastructure upgrades, work practice changes and emergency preparedness.

Who is this for?

• Directors and Executive Leadership Teams
• Business Continuity Managers
• Risk and Compliance Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• Local Government Planners
• Operations Managers
• Project Managers
• Emergency Management Coordinators

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Concepts (Climate Risk, Resilience, Adaptation)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Governance
• 4.0 Regulatory, Standards and Policy Context (Australian Framework)
• 5.0 Climate Hazard Identification and Data Sources
• 6.0 Exposure and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology
• 7.0 Risk Analysis, Evaluation and Prioritisation Process
• 8.0 Integration with WHS, Business Continuity and Asset Management
• 9.0 Climate Resilience Planning and Adaptation Options
• 10.0 Implementation Planning, Resourcing and Timeframes
• 11.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 12.0 Communication, Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement
• 13.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
• 14.0 Training, Awareness and Competency Requirements
• 15.0 Incident, Near Miss and Lessons Learned Feedback into Planning
• 16.0 Appendices – Templates, Checklists and Climate Risk Assessment Tools

Legislation & References

• ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines (as adopted in Australia)
• AS 5334:2013 Climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure – A risk based approach
• AS ISO 22301:2020 Security and resilience – Business continuity management systems – Requirements
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy (Australian Government) – guidance context for climate risk planning