Australia‘s 2035 Climate Target Draws Fire for sidestepping Urgent Action
CANBERRA - Australia’s newly announced 2035 climate target – aiming for a reduction that officials describe as “ambitious and achievable” – is facing criticism for diverting attention from the immediate need for stronger emissions reductions, according to analysis published today. The target, unveiled last week, has been labelled by some as a political maneuver, allowing current leaders to avoid challenging decisions on present-day climate policy.
The debate over the distant goal, set for 2035, echoes a pattern of political forecasting, where politicians issue pledges for future restraint to sidestep challenging choices in the short term, experts say. Tax collection forecasts relying on long-term assumptions further contribute to this cycle of deferred accountability.
“The result? Ongoing deficits and borrowing from future generations by leaders who will be long gone when the time comes to reconcile the target with reality,” the analysis notes.
While business groups reportedly sought a more modest target, overt criticism has been limited, potentially due to a recognition that the 2035 goal is more aspirational than concrete policy. Conversely, climate groups expressed disappointment that the target wasn’t more aggressive, inadvertently positioning Labor’s proposal as a compromise.
Richard Denniss, from the Australia Institute, argues the focus on the 2035 target has effectively shielded current inaction from scrutiny. ”The brief argument about the distant target has ‘ensured that there is little scrutiny of Australia’s lack of climate action in the present’,” he stated.
Denniss highlighted readily available measures with immediate impact,such as phasing out subsidies for large luxury utes and SUVs,as examples largely overlooked in the current debate. ”They have been almost entirely overlooked in recent climate policy debate as all sides engaged in the game of per cents,” he said.
The analysis draws a parallel to a national debate over a future holiday while neglecting the immediate decision of what to have for dinner, illustrating a pattern of prioritizing long-term goals over pressing needs.
The piece, authored by Jacob Greber, political editor of ABC’s 7.30 programme, underscores a growing concern that Australia’s climate discourse is becoming detached from the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for tangible action now.