The NSW government has called for more action on greenhouse gas emissions amid warnings the state will face more fire risk days as climate change advances. 

NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) has released its third report on climate outcomes for the state, projecting higher average temperatures and more extreme weather.   

The report details different outcomes depending on emission levels. It says a “low-emission scenario” would cause temperatures to increase 1.3 degrees by 2090, with about 15 more days topping 35 degrees each year compared with now, and a 10% decrease in rainfall.   

NARCliM’s “high-emission scenario” – in which temperatures increase 2 degrees by 2050 and 4 degrees by 2090 – would mean 45 more days above 35 degrees and an 11.6% rainfall decrease. 

The different outcomes can be seen on the modelling’s interactive map.   

The NSW government says the findings “illustrate the need for further action to reduce emissions and for informed planning to improve the resilience of households, communities and businesses to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather patterns”.   

State Climate Change and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said: “The data shows two clear options – we can do nothing, which will lock in more extreme weather events in the future, or we can reduce emissions now to play our part in limiting the damage.”   

Ms Sharpe urged NSW residents and businesses to access the climate projections, to help them make “informed decisions about the steps they should take to prepare for the changing climate”.   

“We can’t plan for the future without the best data,” she said. “That’s what NARCliM provides. This data will help protect critical infrastructure including hospitals, transport networks, dams and energy systems from climate change impacts such as extreme heat, fires and floods.”   

See more of NARCliM’s findings here.