Climate Impact Assessment Tool

Using Macfarlane-Ribbe Qualitative Climate Impact Scale

Assess climate change impact on your city, region, or country using a simplified qualitative scale tested across 18 Pacific Island nations. Rate nine sub-systems and get an instant impact profile with scoring and visualisation.

About the Scale

The Macfarlane-Ribbe Climatic Impact Scale is a simplified qualitative scale for assessing and communicating climate change impacts. Developed at the University of Southern Queensland and tested across 18 Pacific Island nations, it uses a 1-5 rating system across nine sub-systems to provide a clear, accessible picture of climate change impact on any region.

Based on the AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management framework. Macfarlane, M.H. & Ribbe, J. (2013).

Impact Rating Scale

Negligible

Results in impacts that can be dealt with by routine adaptation actions.

Minor

Threatens the efficiency or effectiveness of some aspect of natural or human systems but can be managed by adaptation actions. Minor impact on strategic/operational objectives.

Moderate

Does not threaten natural or human systems, but would mean that the system could be subject to significant maintenance or changed ways of operation. Moderately impacts strategic/operational objectives.

Major

Threatens the survival or continued effective function of a natural or human system. Has a major impact on strategic objectives.

Severe

Threatens the survival of the country/region. Has extreme impacts on the viability of the region or extreme impact on natural or human systems.

Assess Your Region

Region Type

Name of country

How the Scale Works

Select Your Region

Enter a city, region, or country to assess. The scale can be applied at any geographic level where climate change impacts are observable.

Rate Nine Sub-systems

Assess climate change impact across marine & terrestrial, water, tourism, socio-economic, culture, health, food & agriculture, meteorological, and government sub-systems on a 1–5 scale.

View Your Impact Profile

Get an overall impact score, radar chart visualisation, sub-system breakdown table, and summary assessment for your region.

Peer-reviewed and field-tested

The Macfarlane-Ribbe Climatic Impact Scale was developed as part of a Master of Science at the University of Southern Queensland under the supervision of Dr Joachim Ribbe, Associate Professor in Climatology.

The scale was tested across 18 Pacific Island nations in 2011, with assessments completed by senior meteorologists, climate change officers, and scientific officers from each country. Results aligned with IPCC and CSIRO/BOM impact assessments for the region.

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18 Pacific Island nations

Field-tested with government climate experts

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9 sub-systems assessed

Covering ecological, human, and physical systems

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Risk-based methodology

Built on AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management framework

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Validated against IPCC findings

Results consistent with major climate change reports

Need a professional climate risk assessment?

Our team can apply the Macfarlane-Ribbe Scale alongside quantitative climate data to produce comprehensive impact assessments for governments and organisations.

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