Release of ASPI Special Report – The thin green line: Climate change and Australian policing

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) today released a new Special Report that examines the implications of climate change for Australia’s eight police forces and 45,000 police officers.

The reports findings include:
• The interception and possible detention of environmental refugees is likely to require future police resources.
• Police will need to explore what opportunities exist for deception in the emissions trading scheme, particularly where emission trading intersects with world financial markets.
• Pacific island states would be vulnerable to criminal activity associated with carbon markets that may require our police to investigate. 
• Police forces will need to integrate their work with local emergency services and ensure they have a clear role in existing disaster management plans.
• The police may need to deal with possible civil unrest if certain groups feel frustrated that governments are moving too slowly in dealing with climate change and resort to violent protests.
• As water becomes increasingly precious, the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their water assets will increase, resulting in more serious crimes against both persons and property. 
• Police agencies will have to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One area that could be addressed is energy efficiency in police motor vehicles.

The report recommends:
• The creation of an information hub to bring together current knowledge and future thinking on climate change and it’s implications for policing. 
• The development of research programs on the social implications of changing climatic conditions in Australia and the impact this might have on law enforcement agencies.
• Australia’s police forces, in cooperation with research bodies, should develop risk assessments of the locations that will be most affected by climate change as part of a multi-agency strategic approach to climate change adaptation.