Climate Risk Assessment for Carnac, WA

Carnac, Western Australia
Updated Mar 2026

Carnac is a small island off the coast of Western Australia with a generally low climate risk profile. The primary concerns are moderate heat risk and potential coastal impacts from sea level rise. Bushfire risk is minimal due to the island's limited vegetation.

Is Carnac Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Carnac, Western Australia, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections

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Overall Risk Score

Address-level

Hazard Breakdown

Flood, bushfire, heat, coastal and storm exposure are all assessed in this area. The score that matters is the property's own: a ClimateNest report scores the address across eight hazards, with insurance and value projections to 2050.

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Carnac

Flood

Carnac faces a low risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events. The island's relatively small size limits the potential for significant flooding.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire on Carnac is very low due to its limited vegetation and island geography. The surrounding ocean acts as a natural firebreak.

Key drivers:

  • ·Vegetation dryness
  • ·Wind patterns

Heat

Carnac experiences moderate heat risk, with potential for heatwaves during the summer months. The island's exposed location can exacerbate heat effects.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Carnac faces a low risk from coastal hazards, primarily due to sea level rise and potential erosion. The island's low elevation makes it vulnerable to these changes.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

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Social

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Energy

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In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Carnac

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Carnac experiences moderate heat risk, with potential for heatwaves during the summer months. The island's exposed location can exacerbate heat effects.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Data source

flood Risk

Carnac faces a low risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events. The island's relatively small size limits the potential for significant flooding.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
Data source

coastal Risk

Carnac faces a low risk from coastal hazards, primarily due to sea level rise and potential erosion. The island's low elevation makes it vulnerable to these changes.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire on Carnac is very low due to its limited vegetation and island geography. The surrounding ocean acts as a natural firebreak.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Vegetation dryness
  • ·Wind patterns
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Standard insurance coverage is generally available, but premiums may increase over time due to climate change impacts.

Price Impact

Potential for minor price impacts due to long-term climate risks, particularly related to coastal erosion.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Assess coastal erosion risks.
  • 2.Consider heat mitigation measures.
  • 3.Review insurance coverage for climate-related events.

How the region's climate is projected to change

Regional projections, not a forecast for this street. Figures are from the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's climate projections for the South Western Flatlands region, which draws on CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology modelling.

Temperature

+0.5 to 1.1°C by 2030

Above the 1986–2005 climate, on all emissions scenarios. By 2090, 1.2 to 2.0°C under intermediate emissions or 2.6 to 4.0°C under high emissions.

Rainfall

Winter rain down up to 15% by 2030

The South West has been drying since 1970, and the decline has been larger than anywhere else in Australia. Heavy rainfall events are projected to become more intense even as totals fall.

Fire weather

Harsher, magnitude uncertain

High confidence that fire weather becomes harsher, low confidence in the size of the change, because it depends heavily on summer rainfall.

Sea level

+0.12 m by 2030

At the Fremantle gauge, range 0.07 to 0.16 m. Very high confidence that sea levels continue to rise through the century.

Source: Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Western Australian climate projections: summary, September 2021, South Western Flatlands chapter. Read the projections →

Adaptation Recommendations

Coastal Protection Measures

Near-term

Implement coastal protection measures such as seawalls and beach nourishment to mitigate erosion and inundation.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Develop and implement a heat action plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Ecosystem Restoration

Long-term

Restore and protect coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds to enhance natural coastal defenses.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Sustainable Tourism Practices

Near-term

Promote sustainable tourism practices to minimize the environmental impact of visitors on the island.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Carnac's Climate Risk Profile

Carnac Island, located off the coast of Western Australia, presents a unique climate risk profile due to its island geography and limited development. The island's small size and low elevation make it particularly susceptible to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.

While the risk of bushfire is minimal due to the lack of significant vegetation, the island does experience moderate heat risk during the summer months. Heatwaves can pose a threat to visitors and the island's ecosystem. The risk of flooding is also relatively low, but heavy rainfall events can still cause localized flooding.

Climate change projections indicate a gradual increase in heat risk and coastal hazards over the coming decades. Sea level rise is expected to exacerbate erosion and inundation, while rising temperatures will increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.

Given its unique environment, adaptation measures are essential to protect Carnac Island from the impacts of climate change. These measures should focus on coastal protection, heat mitigation, and sustainable management of the island's natural resources.

Suburb pages describe the local picture. The address-level assessment, with its data sources and its dollar projections, is in the ClimateNest report.

Local Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks for Carnac Island?

The main climate change risks for Carnac Island are rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves.

How will sea level rise affect Carnac Island?

Sea level rise will exacerbate coastal erosion and inundation, potentially impacting low-lying areas and infrastructure on Carnac Island.

What can be done to protect Carnac Island from coastal erosion?

Coastal protection measures such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and ecosystem restoration can help protect Carnac Island from coastal erosion.

How can I prepare for heatwaves on Carnac Island?

Stay hydrated, seek shade, and avoid strenuous activity during heatwaves. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website for heatwave warnings.

Is Carnac Island at risk of bushfires?

The risk of bushfires on Carnac Island is very low due to its limited vegetation and island geography.

Get your property's risk report

This suburb assessment covers the area. For a precise address-level climate risk report for any specific property in Carnac, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Carnac's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections