Australia is due to confirm its 2035 target at this year’s UN climate conference in Brazil.
The Government also announced measures to lower the price of electricity, invest in electric vehicles, and help big industries lower their carbon emissions.
Climate change
Burning fossil fuels for everyday energy consumption, like coal, oil, and gas, releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere.
Adding more CO₂ and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere causes hotter temperatures on Earth.
Climate experts have repeatedly warned failing to reduce emissions will cause more extreme weather events, sea level rises, and food scarcity.
Electricity production, transport, and agriculture are the main contributors to Australia’s emissions.
Govt targets
The Government has already legislated two climate targets.
The first is reducing emissions by 43% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.
The second is net-zero by 2050. This refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere.
Since both commitments are legislated, they require the Government and its relevant agencies to meet them.
2035 targets
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On Thursday, the independent Climate Change Authority announced it had recommended Australia should aim to reduce its carbon emissions by between 62% and 70% by 2035.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had accepted this advice.
Albanese said the target would “protect our environment” and “advance our economy and jobs” for “future generations.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the target range was “ambitious and achievable.” He said a target over 70% was “not achievable”.
Alongside the emissions reduction target, the Government also announced:
- Funding to lower electricity prices.
- Investment into electric vehicles and chargers.
- The ‘Net Zero Fund’, which will pay for large industries to find ways to reduce their carbon emissions.
Response
Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien told media on Thursday afternoon that the Coalition will “absolutely oppose this 2035 target.”
He said the announcement was “nothing more than a word salad of promises which again will not be kept”.
In a post to X, Greens leader Larissa Waters said: “Coal and gas corporations will love Labor’s utter failure of a climate target.”
