NRMA Insurance has established a grant program to support Australia’s climate resilience.

The IAG brand says its Help Fund will provide $1 million in its first year to support climate tech innovation; sponsor development and education of climate leaders; and back community-led resilience projects.

“In a warming climate, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense across the country,” NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch said. “As a nation, we must collaborate and innovate to build climate resilience and protect communities.”

As part of the fund’s launch this week, five climate tech ventures were selected to receive $100,000 each to scale their solutions: DNA Energy, FloodMapp, GeoNadir, Rainstick and VALAI.

“Emerging technology is proving to be a powerful tool in this effort,” Ms Batch said. “Australia is home to world-class talent at the forefront of climate innovation, and through our Help Fund, we’re proud to support these five inspiring change-makers as they work to safeguard our future.”

NRMA has partnered with Climate Salad – a network supporting climate tech companies – to deliver the innovation grants.

Climate Salad CEO Mick Liubinskas said: “Australia is one of the most nature-diverse and climate-exposed countries in the world. This has led to the development of unique insights into resilience and has been the catalyst for the development of world-leading technology in this country.

“Despite this, we have underinvested in the implementation of these technologies to help communities adapt, withstand and recover from extreme weather.

“With initiatives like the ... fund, we can accelerate these breakthroughs, keep talent in Australia, and grow industries that will have a lasting positive impact here and around the world.”