A catalysT to all levels of government to act on climate change.
We are a group of former senior fire and emergency service leaders from every state and territory with more than 1,000 years of cumulative frontline experience of worsening heatwaves, fires, floods, and storms. For decades we have experienced firsthand Australia’s changing climate and increasingly catastrophic extreme weather events. Climate pollution is driving conditions that put life, property, livelihoods and the environment at greater risk, and regularly overwhelm our emergency services.
Shaping the national conversation about climate change and extreme weather
Drawing the media spotlight when and where it’s needed
Engaging with state and federal bushfire inquiries and commissions
Convening and engaging with the people who need to be involved in the discussion
Our Mission
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) works to ensure that governments and public understand how climate change is driving worsening disasters, more investment in community resilience and disaster risk reduction, and that fire and emergency services are adequately equipped to protect Australian communities from increasingly frequent and extreme weather events.
Explain how worsening extreme weather driving extreme heatwaves, bushfires, storms and floods are being aggravated by climate change.
Debunk dangerous myths aimed at diverting attention away from climate change.
Advocate for rapid, deep cuts to climate pollution and greater investment in community resilience and fire and emergency services.
Our Reports
When cities burn: Could the Los Angeles fires happen here?
The uncomfortable truth is that many of the factors that led to the LA disaster are already present in Australia — and getting worse. Our new analysis brings together the latest science, climate trends and fire behaviour research to uncover the risks to a similar disaster occuring in Australia.
State of Queensland: Disaster ground zero
Queensland may be known as the Sunshine State, but it’s also Australia’s ground zero when it comes to climate fuelled disasters.
Too Close to Home: How we keep communities safer from escalating climate impacts
Our communities have endured unimaginable losses caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas. Homes have been submerged in flood waters and reduced to ashes in bushfires, while our communities and environments have been changed forever.
Powder Keg: Australia primed to burn
Australia has long been referred to as a land of “drought and flooding rains”, prone to bushfires as well as intense rainfall events.
The Great Deluge: Australia’s new era of unnatural disasters
2022 will be remembered as the year of the Great Deluge, when record-breaking rain and floods lashed large parts of Eastern Australia, causing untold devastation for Australians and our economy.
Summer of Crisis
The first comprehensive overview of the devastating climate impacts Australians experienced this summer.
The Facts About Hazard Reduction
The 2019-20 bushfire season is shaping up to be Australia’s worst on record. Already, around 10 million hectares have been burnt, more than a billion animals killed, and tragically, lives have been claimed.
Dangerous Summer: Escalating Bushfire, Heat and Drought Risk
A long-term warming trend from the burning of coal, oil and gas is supercharging extreme weather events, putting Australian lives, our economy and our environment at risk.
Our Members
Our Statements & Submissions
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Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) is a project of the Climate Council. We are 100% independent and funded by donations from people like you. Your donation will ensure our vital work continues.