Australia Expected to Lower 2035 Emissions Reduction Target Amid Pacific Push
CANBERRA – The โAlbanese government is poised to announce a 2035 emissionsโ reduction target that falls short of the 65-75 per cent range previously considered,โข as it seeks โขto solidify its relationship with Pacific โฃnations.โ sources indicate a more “achievable”โฃ number is forthcoming, signaling lowered expectations for the target.
This โrecalibration comes as Australia โฃactively pursues co-hosting the 2026 global climate summit (COP) with Pacific nations, a move viewed as a key โคdemonstration โof its commitment to addressing the region’s climate concerns. The joint Australia-Pacific bid enjoys strong support within theโ 28-country “Western Europe and Others Group” responsible for hosting the summit.
However, Australia’s bid faces a challenge from Tรผrkiye, which is also vying to host the โฃ2026โ COP summit. Prime Minister Albanese is scheduled to meet with Turkish โPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in the โคcoming weeks to โattempt to resolve โขthe deadlock.โฃ
Pacific leaders believe a co-hosted COP summit would provide a crucial platform to highlight โthe climate crisis impacting their region. Securing the summit would also earn Australia goodwill as it navigates its commitments in the Pacific, effectively serving as an “entry fee” to the โคregion’sโค trust and cooperation.
David Speers is national political lead and hostโข of Insiders, which airs on ABC TV at 9am on Sundayโฃ or on iview.