Climate Change Research Centre

We raise awareness by researching the impacts and risks of climate change to create a better climate future.

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UNSW CCRC is a multi-disciplinary research centre comprising one of the largest university research facilities of its kind in Australia, administered within the School of BEES in the Faculty of Science.

CCRC houses research expertise in the key areas of Earth's climate: atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial processes. We apply basic scientific principles to pressing questions on climate dynamics, global climate change, and extremes of weather and climate.

View our Climate Change Research Centre Strategic Plan 2022-26

View our 2023 Annual Report

Vision statement

The CCRC is a world-leading research centre in physical and biogeochemical climate science, and educates the Australian and global community about risks associated with climate variability and change.

Recent research

Less than 4% of dryland areas are projected to desertify despite increased

Less than 4% of drylands will desertify due to climate change, although the Aridity Index indicates a drier future

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Linking physical climate risk with mandatory business risk disclosure requi

We examine the viability of disclosing risks to climate extremes by single companies and show that at the level of an individual business reliable risk disclose is unlikely to be possible.

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Higher-resolution projections needed for small island climates

This paper highlights the need for high resolution (km scale) projections to understand the climate change impacts on islands beyond just sea level rise.

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Mother of pearl clouds (nacreous clouds), Polar Stratospheric Clouds. These clouds indicate global warming Mother of pearl clouds (nacreous clouds), Polar Stratospheric Clouds. These clouds indicate global warming

Climate simulations of the Last Interglacial show that Antarctic ice loss induces East Antarctic warming, and the equivalent meltwater from the ice loss induces warming of the subsurface ocean.

Nature Communications

David Hutchinson
  • David Hutchinson
  • Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC)
East Antarctic warming forced by ice loss during the Last Interglacial
Aerial view of a large iceberg floating near an ice shelf under grey skies 0 Aerial view of a large iceberg floating near an ice shelf under grey skies 0

Higher sea-surface temperatures and sea-ice loss in the Southern Ocean during the Last interglacial period weakened Antarctic Bottom Water formation and led to a 1.2 °C sub-surface warming around Antarctica, which could have triggered Antarctic ice mass loss.

Nature Communications

Nicholas Yeung
  • Nicholas Yeung
  • Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC)
Last Interglacial subsurface warming on the Antarctic shelf triggered by reduced deep-ocean convection.
Southern Brazil Southern Brazil

Southeastern Brazil experiences extended periods of either significantly low or high precipitation during austral summer, depending on the phase of Zonal Wavenumber 3

Journal of Climate

Valentina Ortiz Guzman
  • Valentina Ortiz Guzman
  • Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC)
Zonal Wavenumber 3 Forces Extreme Precipitation in South America
Volcanic Eruption Volcanic Eruption

This study examines the consequences of large stratospheric water vapor anomalies related to the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption of 2022 and reveals that surface temperatures across large regions of the world increase by over 1.5°C for several years, although some areas experience cooling close to 1°C

Journal of Climate

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
  • Martin Jucker
  • Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC)
Long-Term Climate Impacts of Large Stratospheric Water Vapor Perturbations
Dry cracked land with dead tree and sky in background a concept of global warming Dry cracked land with dead tree and sky in background a concept of global warming

This study shows that a reduction in moisture sources from the Tasman Sea contributed to the onset of the Tinderbox Drought that affected the Murray Darling Basin from 2017 to 2019.

Weather and Climate Extremes

Andrea Sardinha Taschetto profile
  • Andrea Taschetto
  • Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC)
Changes in moisture sources contributed to the onset and development of the 2017-2019 southeast Australian drought

Latest news

Challenges, limitations and risks associated with climate-related physical risk disclosure

Sep 30, 2024
Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC)

Dangerous climate tipping points will affect Australia. The risks are real and cannot be ignored

We don't yet fully understand what global climate tipping points mean for Australia. But we know enough to conclude the impacts of passing one or more tipping points must now be considered.

Feb 06, 2024
Science Science & Tech Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) Climate change Global warming

Yes, it's getting more humid in summer. Here's why

How’s the humidity? Australia’s east coast has been hit by intense humidity this summer. Here’s why – and why it’s a risk

Jan 29, 2024
Science Science & Tech Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) Climate change Global warming

When floodwaters reach the sea, they can leave a 50m thick layer of brown water – and cause real problems

Floodwaters pulsing into the sea normally clear within six days. But the 2022 floods in eastern Australia were different.

Jan 23, 2024
Science Science & Tech Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) Climate change Oceans Healthy Oceans and Coastlines
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Contact us

Address
Climate Change Research Centre
Level 4, Mathews Building
The University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052

Phone: +61 2 9385 9766
Email: ccrc@unsw.edu.au