The Climate Scenarios Working Group brought together twelve Australian universities through the ACTS network to create the sector’s first shared climate scenario framework. Inspired by earlier work in Aotearoa New Zealand, the partnership recognised that climate change presents shared, systemic risks that are better addressed through collective action than isolated institutional efforts.

Through a nationally coordinated, co-designed process involving more than 150 stakeholders, the group developed four climate scenarios for Australia’s tertiary education sector, aligned with IPCC pathways and emerging climate disclosure requirements. The process brought together sustainability leaders, academic and professional staff, students, governance representatives and external stakeholders to explore implications for teaching, research, operations, infrastructure, student experience and institutional strategy.

By pooling funding, expertise and delivery capacity, the partnership avoided duplication, reduced costs and created a publicly available framework now being used to inform climate risk assessments, strategic planning and sustainability reporting. The collaboration has since evolved into an expanded Climate Risk and Adaptation Group, demonstrating lasting sector value.