The next review of the National Construction Code in three years must include climate change provisions, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

The Insurance Council of Australia has long called for changes to the code so new structures are less exposed to future extremes.

Australia trails Canada and the UK in efforts to prepare for the challenges that climate change poses, the institute says.

“In many parts of the country, we’re already starting to see the effects of climate change,” it says. “Australia’s National Construction Code doesn’t include any specific reference to climate change adaptation.

“As the code provides the minimum standard for the construction and liveability of new buildings, work needs to be done now to include climate change provisions in the next iteration of the [code], which will be reviewed in 2022.”