Climate-proofing your next home and Virginia Trioli serves a bit on the side

Data centres are rapidly being developed in Australia, and research warns governments must ensure development does not outpace planning. State and federal energy ministers will meet next month to decide how to ensure the federal government's data centre expectations are met without creating climate-risk hotspots. Karl Mallon speaks to ABC News Australia after XDI's launch of 2026 Global Analysis of Planned Data Centres for Physical Climate Risk and Resilience - Key Findings Report.

Banks using the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Physical Risk Assessment Platform can now analyse the physical climate risk of assets located anywhere in the world, following the addition of global portfolio capabilities from XDI’s Climate Risk Hub to the platform.

The Australian Government Productivity Commission has released a new inquiry report – “Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation”. XDI’s analysis was used to model the potential reduction in extreme-weather related damage to housing assets from greater resilience measures. Climate hazards are projected to cause up to $744 billion in property damage by 2100. However, adapting existing properties to be more resilient and implementing improved land planning measures can reduce these damages by up to $240 billion.

Insurance costs are soaring for home owners in Australia and New Zealand as climate change leads to floods, fires and storms, pushing up inflation and threatening financial stability, experts say. “As premiums rise and coverage is withdrawn from high-risk areas, we can expect to see impacts on asset prices and the prosperity of communities,” said Philip Tapsall, head of corporate and finance sector engagement at climate risk experts XDI. “Without stronger action to reduce emissions and build resilience, we could see this have implications for financial stability.”