Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared an El Niño which could lead to hotter temperatures in coming months.
Following the announcement, the Climate Council warned that pollution and El Niño will combine in Australia this year to supercharge the risk of dangerous drought, heatwaves and fires.
Climate Councillor, Adjunct Professor Andrew Watkins said together climate pollution and El Niño load the dice, so they are more likely to land on record heat and fire conditions.
“Climate pollution from coal, oil and gas supercharges heat, dangerous fire weather and aggressive events like flash droughts,” he said.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said in 2025, Australians paid up to $700 more for home and contents insurance premiums than the year before.
“The fact is, coal, oil and gas corporations are profiting from polluting products at the same time that Australians are paying the second-highest disaster costs in the world,” she said.
The acceleration of climate extremes is forcing builders and contractors to adopt materials that can withstand Australia’s harsher conditions while delivering durability, safety and long-term resilience.
For example, 40 per cent of flood‑affected homes experience mould regrowth within a year, even after remediation.
CSIRO data show short‑duration rainfall bursts are becoming more intense, making weather‑tight detailing more important than ever.
Wakaflex is a supplier of innovative roofing and building materials which are made for sustainable construction. The company provides a lead‑free roof flashing solution that is sold in 40 countries around the globe.
Wakaflex’s polyisobutylene (PIB)‑based polymer rubber construction, reinforced with an aluminium mesh, features a chemical self‑bonding capability that creates a continuous waterproof seal when overlapped - a key advantage as storms become more severe.
Its inert, non‑toxic composition also means it won’t contaminate rainwater, making it safe for potable water systems - a growing priority for off‑grid and sustainability‑focused builds.
Evo Building Products director, Peter Byrne, said tradies were increasingly seeking premium materials that delivered speed, safety and reliability in unpredictable conditions.
“Australian homes weren’t built for the weather extremes we’re seeing today,” he said.
“Dark roof surfaces can exceed 60–70 °C during summer heat events, placing significant stress on roofing materials and seals.
“Builders and architects want materials that genuinely stand up to heat, storms and bushfire risk.”