A landmark climate report warns that by 2050, one million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk.

Australia’s first national climate risk assessment predicts more frequent and severe climate hazards such as floods, cyclones, heat waves, droughts and bushfires.

“Australians are already living in the consequences of climate change today, but it is clear that every warmth we prevent now will now help future generations avoid the worst impacts in the coming years,” said Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

The report examines three global warming schemes – above 1.5c, above 2C and above 3C.

Australia – One of the per capita polluters – The report said that the warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius has reached, noting that at 3C, Sydney’s heat-related deaths could grow by more than 400 per cent, while deaths in Melbourne are almost tripled.

Page 72 The report – a few days before the government announced its 2035 emission reduction target – found that Australian communities will not be immune to the “cascading, complex and concurrent” climate risks.

It warned of heatwave-related deaths due to severe flooding and bushfires, poor water quality and a decline in property value by $61.1 billion ($40.6 billion; £300 billion).

By 2050, the report found that the number of coastal communities in Australia’s “high-risk areas” will increase, which would mean more than 1.5 million people are at risk if the population remains at current levels.

The report says northern Australia’s regions, as well as remote communities and outlying suburbs in major cities, are particularly at risk.

“This will put pressure on health, critical infrastructure, natural species and ecosystems, and primary industries,” the report warns.

The report also found that reefs such as Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef (both already hit by record bleaching events) will face higher risks of “bleaching and biodiversity loss”, which can lead to ocean warming.

“One thing that can be clear from this climate assessment is that our entire country is under a lot of threats,” Bowen said. “The cost of doing nothing is always greater than the cost of action.”

To cope with the report, Bowen said the government released a national adaptation plan detailing how federal, state and local governments can work together to address climate issues.

“We will also set an ambitious and achievable 2035 target, inspired by the recommendations of the Independent Climate Change Agency,” he said.

Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030, but has been criticized for its continued reliance on fossil fuels.

Climate Commission CEO Amanda McKenzie said the report’s findings were terrifying and called on the government to commit to reduce emissions higher.

“Australia cannot afford the timid 2035 goal when our own government data shows the disastrous cost of doing nothing,” said the head of the nonprofit.

“The longer we delay deep and continuous cuts until the required climate pollution is longer and more difficult to protect communities from heat waves, floods and bushfire weather.”