Climate has ranked as a top issue for many voters heading into the 2025 election.
In this piece, we’ll explain the ways in which Labor, the Coalition and the Greens are approaching energy and climate change issues.
While both major parties have committed to energy bill relief for all Australians until the end of this year, they have proposed different policies for Australia’s future energy mix.
Let’s get into it.
Net zero
Labor and the Coalition have both pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
'Net zero emissions' refers to balancing greenhouse gas emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere.
Electricity production, transport, and agriculture are the main contributors to Australia’s emissions.
Climate policies centrally focus on energy.
Labor
43% emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, a legislated target on the road to net-zero by 2050. Independent analysis shows Labor is set to miss the target by 0.4%.
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Installing more batteries in homes to back up solar panels, under a plan to roll out one million batteries across homes and businesses by 2030.
Protecting 30% of Australia’s landmass and waterways by 2030, which will involve expanding national parks and protected ocean sites.
Coalition
Seven nuclear reactors set up at existing coal plants across the country, which the Coalition says will help achieve net zero by 2050. Nuclear doesn’t release emissions, but is not considered renewable.
Gatekeeping gas supplies in Australia, stopping energy companies from exporting gas offshore, instead requiring them to store gas in east coast reserves.
No plans to formally legislate a 2030 target, although the Coalition has committed to net zero by 2050.
Greens
Phasing out fossil fuels by banning new coal, gas, and oil projects, and focusing on developing renewable energy projects across the country.
75% emissions reduction by 2035, following a full transition to 100% renewable energy used for power in Australia by 2030.
Rental property solar power installation, through a government-funded program to increase the uptake of panels. Landlords would only be able to reject solar panels on “reasonable” grounds, such as engineering issues.
