Defence plans for climate consequences

Defence doesn't specifically plan for climate change but it does account for the potential consequences, including natural and humanitarian disasters.

Defence force chief Mark Binskin said the issue had been canvassed in previous Defence blueprints and would be again in the upcoming 2015 white paper.

"We don't specifically plan for climate change but we do plan for the consequences of it," the air chief marshal told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra.

Defence has been criticised for its approach to climate change, most recently in a paper by former defence force chief Chris Barrie for the Climate Council.

He said Defence was taking little action to prepare for climate change and its consequences.

Air Chief Marshal Binskin said he didn't need a senior defence member tagged as climate change officer.

"It might look good, but practically it doesn't give me anything," he said.

Recent disasters in the region, including the Asian and Japanese tsunamis had shown how well defence could respond, he said.

Vice-chief Ray Griggs said Defence had conducted a study on vulnerability of bases to sea level rise and on future energy sustainability.

"It is an issue that we are taking seriously and are looking at across a number of fronts," the vice-admiral said.