The adaptive capacity of an organisation is known to determine the extent to which it is able to make well-informed, long-term decisions that will make it more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Since 2007, the Office of Environment and Heritage and Local Government NSW have worked collaboratively to empower NSW Local Government with tools and information they need to minimise the impacts of climate change in their local communities.

This presentation will detail the findings of the 3rd survey of NSW Local Government organisations since 2009, which shows that adaptive capacity across the sector is increasing, evidenced by the increased number of risk assessment processes and adaptation plans, growing needs for sophisticated climate change data and tools, and the inclusion of climate change adaptation in strategic policy documents. It will also outline some of the collaborative adaptation projects that have been supported through the Building Resilience to Climate Change contestable grants program.