Lack of planning for climate change puts Australia behind its allies, report finds

Climate Council says weak government action on climate change was undermining defence force's ability to respond to severe weather events

Australia is behind its allies in preparing for climate change, exposing defence personnel - and the country more broadly - to considerable strategic risk and uncertainty, a new report written by the former defence force chief, Admiral Chris Barrie, warns.

More than half the world's natural disasters last year occurred in the Asia-Pacific region and the Australian defence force was increasingly being called upon to provide humanitarian assistance to affected areas, the Climate Council report said.