Understanding Australia's changing climate and the fragility of our ecosystems is critical if we are to enable industries to minimise their environmental impact and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters and extreme events.
CSIRO's Environment Research Unit brings together our capabilities in marine, atmospheric, water and terrestrial environment disciplines, as well as significant social and economic research, to align and support the nation in creating a better and more sustainable future.
Our research examines the increasing pressures facing our natural and built environments from the combined effects of climate change, extreme events, non-sustainable use of natural resources and legacy activities.
We collaborate with experts from across CSIRO in National Collections & Marine Infrastructure, Health & Biosecurity, Agriculture & Food, Technology, other Research Units and Enterprise Services to further underpin our research portfolio. We also work closely with other publicly funded research agencies, universities , industry and communities to deliver impactful science.
Together, we are addressing Australia’s biggest environment challenges by translating complex science into decision ready information and tools essential for sustainable and equitable economic, social, and environmental management and development into the future.
Our research programs include
| Research program | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate, Nature and Community Resilience |
This program helps inform and build Australia's climate resilience and adaptation. It brings together expertise in climate projection, hazard intelligence, biodiversity science, ecosystem management, social science and indigenous science. The program combines advanced modelling, observational science, remote sensing and environmental assessment capability to understand climate risks and their implications for communities, infrastructure, economies, and ecosystems. The team's strength is its ability to translate climate science into practical adaptation pathways, resilience investments, and decision-support tools for governments and industry. |
| Future Water |
Future Water drives sustainable water management solutions that help safeguard Australia’s water future amid increasing climate and development pressures. The program has expertise in groundwater systems, freshwater ecosystems, hydrological forecasting, water resource assessment, groundwater modelling, aquatic ecology, surface water hydrology, remote sensing and environmental data infrastructure and digital support systems. The team helps to inform water policy across Australia and internationally by integrating knowledge across water security, ecosystem health, regional development and environmental monitoring. |
| Integrated Ocean Stewardship |
The Integrated Ocean Stewardship program is focused on sustainable management of Australia’s ocean and coastal environments. The IOS program integrates marine observations, ocean modelling, ecosystem science, operational oceanography, genetics, and decision-support capability to improve understanding and stewardship of marine systems under climate and human pressures. Its capability includes nationally significant marine monitoring infrastructure, predictive ocean intelligence, fisheries and aquaculture expertise and ecosystem regeneration. The IOS program has as a whole-of-ocean stewardship approach balancing conservation, climate resilience, industry, and community needs. |
| Decarbonisation Pathways |
This program is focused on long-term environmental sustainability across Australia and internationally through climate mitigation, carbon management and industry transition. It brings together expertise in environmental-economic modelling, greenhouse gas observation, emissions measurement and modelling, carbon dioxide removal, supply chain resilience and systems-scale decarbonisation analysis. The DP program supports evidence-based pathways toward net zero emissions. |
| Waste Technologies |
The Waste Technologies program addresses complex and hazardous waste challenges across sectors and regions. It brings together expertise in circular economy systems, waste transformation, remediation technologies and environmental biotechnology. |
Meet the Environment Leadership Team
- Director – Dan Metcalfe
- Science Director – Brett Molony
- Deputy Director – Chris Chilcott
- Executive Officer - Tsuey Cham
- Research Director, Climate, Nature and Community Resilience - Matt Stenson
- Research Director, Future Water – Carmel Pollino
- Research Director, Integrated Ocean Stewardship – Andy Whiteley
- Research Director, Decarbonisation Pathways – Stuart Whitten
- Research Director, Waste Technologies – Deborah Lau
- Research Operations Manager – Ben Rae
- Director, Partnerships and Business Development – Sandra Fox
- Communications Manager – Amy Edwards
- Finance Manager – Angelis Widjaja
- Strategic HR Partner - Julie Carroll
- HSE Manager - Michelle Herma
Understanding Australia's changing climate and the fragility of our ecosystems is critical if we are to enable industries to minimise their environmental impact and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters and extreme events.
CSIRO's Environment Research Unit brings together our capabilities in marine, atmospheric, water and terrestrial environment disciplines, as well as significant social and economic research, to align and support the nation in creating a better and more sustainable future.
Our research examines the increasing pressures facing our natural and built environments from the combined effects of climate change, extreme events, non-sustainable use of natural resources and legacy activities.
We collaborate with experts from across CSIRO in National Collections & Marine Infrastructure, Health & Biosecurity, Agriculture & Food, Technology, other Research Units and Enterprise Services to further underpin our research portfolio. We also work closely with other publicly funded research agencies, universities , industry and communities to deliver impactful science.
Together, we are addressing Australia’s biggest environment challenges by translating complex science into decision ready information and tools essential for sustainable and equitable economic, social, and environmental management and development into the future.
Our research programs include
| Research program | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate, Nature and Community Resilience |
This program helps inform and build Australia's climate resilience and adaptation. It brings together expertise in climate projection, hazard intelligence, biodiversity science, ecosystem management, social science and indigenous science. The program combines advanced modelling, observational science, remote sensing and environmental assessment capability to understand climate risks and their implications for communities, infrastructure, economies, and ecosystems. The team's strength is its ability to translate climate science into practical adaptation pathways, resilience investments, and decision-support tools for governments and industry. |
| Future Water |
Future Water drives sustainable water management solutions that help safeguard Australia’s water future amid increasing climate and development pressures. The program has expertise in groundwater systems, freshwater ecosystems, hydrological forecasting, water resource assessment, groundwater modelling, aquatic ecology, surface water hydrology, remote sensing and environmental data infrastructure and digital support systems. The team helps to inform water policy across Australia and internationally by integrating knowledge across water security, ecosystem health, regional development and environmental monitoring. |
| Integrated Ocean Stewardship |
The Integrated Ocean Stewardship program is focused on sustainable management of Australia’s ocean and coastal environments. The IOS program integrates marine observations, ocean modelling, ecosystem science, operational oceanography, genetics, and decision-support capability to improve understanding and stewardship of marine systems under climate and human pressures. Its capability includes nationally significant marine monitoring infrastructure, predictive ocean intelligence, fisheries and aquaculture expertise and ecosystem regeneration. The IOS program has as a whole-of-ocean stewardship approach balancing conservation, climate resilience, industry, and community needs. |
| Decarbonisation Pathways |
This program is focused on long-term environmental sustainability across Australia and internationally through climate mitigation, carbon management and industry transition. It brings together expertise in environmental-economic modelling, greenhouse gas observation, emissions measurement and modelling, carbon dioxide removal, supply chain resilience and systems-scale decarbonisation analysis. The DP program supports evidence-based pathways toward net zero emissions. |
| Waste Technologies |
The Waste Technologies program addresses complex and hazardous waste challenges across sectors and regions. It brings together expertise in circular economy systems, waste transformation, remediation technologies and environmental biotechnology. |
Meet the Environment Leadership Team
- Director – Dan Metcalfe
- Science Director – Brett Molony
- Deputy Director – Chris Chilcott
- Executive Officer - Tsuey Cham
- Research Director, Climate, Nature and Community Resilience - Matt Stenson
- Research Director, Future Water – Carmel Pollino
- Research Director, Integrated Ocean Stewardship – Andy Whiteley
- Research Director, Decarbonisation Pathways – Stuart Whitten
- Research Director, Waste Technologies – Deborah Lau
- Research Operations Manager – Ben Rae
- Director, Partnerships and Business Development – Sandra Fox
- Communications Manager – Amy Edwards
- Finance Manager – Angelis Widjaja
- Strategic HR Partner - Julie Carroll
- HSE Manager - Michelle Herma