The NSW Government is to invest $40 million on climate change measures including action to improve community disaster resilience.

The sum comprises $30 million to help households, businesses and councils respond to hazards such as storms, bushfires, floods and drought, with $10.2 million from the Climate Change Fund supporting energy efficiency standards for appliances, buildings and infrastructure.

Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton says the funding will improve community awareness.

“For example, people will get more information to help them respond better to climate change risks by improving climate projections and hazard maps,” she said last week.

IAG Group Executive People Performance and Reputation Jacki Johnson says state and territory governments are a critical source of disaster response guidance for communities and a collaborative approach is needed for prevention and impact minimisation.

“The importance of community efforts in climate change risk mitigation cannot be understated, and this funding will provide vital resources for building resilience and responsiveness,” she said.

IAG is a member of the Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience & Safer Communities, which estimates the cost of natural disasters will more than double in real terms to $39 billion a year by 2050.