Future-proofing Indigenous communities against climate change

North Queensland Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is a not-for-profit Queensland Government organization that provides essential services to rural and remote communities in the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland. Comprising a combination of supermarkets, retail outlets and refueling facilities, these services offer employment to the people of the communities, keeping the region economically sustainable. Of particular note, CEQ operates their own supply chain and logistics services via land, sea, and air transportation and are exposed to multiple threats posed by climate change. To better prepare themselves against future climate disruptions, CEQ engaged us to facilitate a climate action strategy.

We conducted a climate change risk and vulnerability assessment, evaluated CEQ’s greenhouse gas emissions, and created a database for their climate and environmental social governance (ESG) reporting. Crucially, we focused the strategy around circular economy principles, which aim to reduce waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate nature.

With this strategy, CEQ will be able to mitigate direct climate change impacts—such as damage to assets—as well as indirect climate change impacts—including supply chain disruptions. By building resilience into their policies, strategy, procurement, and operations, CEQ can prepare for climate change and future-proof Indigenous communities.