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The net zero by 2050 announcement, and an indication that Australia may exceed its weak 2030 emissions target by reaching ‘up to 35% below 2005 levels’, means Australia remains dead last among comparable nations on climate action.
Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie: “The Federal government has now cemented the commitments from all state governments, putting Australia on a path to phase out coal, oil and gas pollution.
“Net zero by 2050 is a joke without strong emissions cuts this decade. Australia desperately needs to dramatically scale up renewable energy, phase out coal and gas and electrify our transport systems. Otherwise we miss out on the economic opportunities of the global transition and expose ourselves to the fire, flood and heat risks of climate change,” said Amanda McKenzie who has attended three previous COPs.
Ahead of major UN talks to be held in Glasgow from October 31, Australia is under massive international pressure to do more, with the threat of carbon border tariffs hanging over our economy. Australians are already being harmed by climate change, from massive fires to sea level rise, which will continue to worsen under accelerating climate change.
Climate Councillor and Emeritus Professor at Australian National University, Professor Will Steffen: “To achieve net zero and help avoid catastrophic climate change, the federal government must take rapid and concrete steps to cut emissions deeply this decade, starting with an end to all new coal or gas projects.
“All gas and coal expansion must stop, and we need to move away from existing fossil fuel use as quickly as possible. Any climate commitment should be judged against this measure. Australia remains one of the only advanced economies that hasn’t offered up a new, higher target for 2030 emission cuts — despite clear requests for this from UN officials,” said Professor Steffen.
The Climate Council recommends that Australia reduce its emissions by 75% (below 2005 levels) by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035. This is based on rigorous scientific risk assessments.
“As a first step, Australia must at least match the updated commitments from our key allies, and pledge before Glasgow to at least halve our emissions (below 2005 levels) by 2030,” said Professor Steffen.
Climate Councillor, and leading Australian economist, Nicki Hutley: “It’s in Australia’s clear economic interests to act swiftly and decisively on climate change; new industries will bring billions of dollars of economic opportunities. We can’t rely on unproven technologies like carbon capture and storage.”
“As one of the sunniest and windiest countries on earth, Australia has unrivalled potential for renewable energy, clean industries, and clean jobs,” she said.
“The regions have the most to lose from worsening extreme weather events and the most to gain from harnessing new industries. A 2050 plan is too late, we need action now to avoid missing out on the opportunities for regional Australia of renewables,” said Ms Hutley.
Links
- Why Australia refuses to give up coal
- Climate action is still hotly contested in Australia
- (AU ABC) Government Promises To Cut Emissions To Reach Net Zero By 2050 Under New Climate Change Plan
- Australia's big miners have already left the government behind on climate change
- The Nationals are at a pivotal moment and Barnaby Joyce may never again be this powerful
- Net zero idea what's going on with Australia's climate targets? Here's the breakdown
- Why is the pressure being piled on Australia to do more on climate change?
- (AU SBS) Queensland Backs Net Zero By 2050 As Pressure Mounts On Scott Morrison
- (AU The Guardian) The Frenetic Fan Dance Of The Fools Tells Us The Coalition Has Reached Crunch Time On Climate
- (AU AFR) Australia’s Business Leaders Tell PM How To Hit Net Zero By 2050
- (AU New Daily) Road To Net Zero: What The Rest Of The World Thinks About Australia’s Climate Policy
- (AU The Guardian) NSW Environment Minister Urges Moderate Liberals To Push The Party Harder On Net Zero
- (AU SMH) While The 2050 Battle Rages In Australia, The World Is Talking 2030
- Australia needs to aim for net zero by 2035 to avoid climate catastrophe
- As the world gets ambitious, Morrison get defensive
- Help regional towns or watch them die, Bowen says
- The big problem with the government's climate change programs
- Halving emissions the 'least' Australia can do, IPCC vice-chair says
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