Australia‘s Revised Emissions Target Draws Fire From both Sides
CANBERRA – Australia’s Labor government unveiled a new emissions reduction target range of 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035, a move immediately met with criticism from climate advocates who deemed it insufficient and industry groups anticipating significant challenges to implementation. The announcement comes as Australia seeks to co-host the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) climate talks with Pacific neighbours, a bid being closely scrutinized by island nations facing existential threats from climate change.
Wesley Morgan, a research associate from the Institute for Climate Risk & Response at the University of New South Wales, emphasized the Pacific’s focus on Australia’s ambition. “Pacific nations are watching Australia’s ambition closely,” he said. “Pacific island countries are fighting for survival, and want to see all countries set a target that is in line with limiting warming to 1.5C.” Morgan argued Australia’s share of global efforts to limit warming to 1.5C requires a 75% reduction by 2035.
Achieving even the lower end of the government’s target will be challenging, according to Innes Willox, chief executive of Australian Industry group. “Even reaching 62 per cent will challenge policy makers, industry and households,” Willox stated. He added that reaching 70% “will only be possible with favourable tailwinds from technology, global markets and the right policy settings, especially to allow for the construction and delivery of significant infrastructure.” Willox maintained the target is “in the realm of the feasible – with hard work and a tight focus on making Australia a place where it is indeed easy to invest and to build.”
Mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest,head of Fortescue,acknowledged the government’s “courage of leadership” in setting the 2035 target,but insisted the upper limit of 70% “must be a floor,not a ceiling.” ”A cut of at least 75 per cent is what is needed for Australia to pursue emissions reductions in line with the science,” Forrest said in a statement. “A 62 per cent to 70 per cent range is a step forward, but it sends a signal that we are comfortable with the status quo. Australia is capable of much more and the world is watching.”
