Australia is poised to meet its ambitious emissions reduction targets by 2030, overcoming earlier challenges in its renewable energy rollout. The government projects a 42.6% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels, a dramatic improvement from the 32% forecast just two years ago, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water.
The current policy settings also place Australia’s overall emissions budget from 2021 to 2030 about 3% below target. This progress aligns with the Paris Agreement’s global push for enhanced climate action. By February next year, Australia must present its updated 2035 emissions targets, but Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has yet to announce a timeline.
With a national election looming in May 2025, climate policy is expected to become a major battleground. The center-left Labor government has legislated Australia’s first climate action target of a 43% cut by 2030, positioning the country alongside Canada and Japan. However, this target remains less aggressive than the commitments made by the EU and UK.
Labor has emphasized green investment, accelerating the deployment of large-scale renewable energy projects. However, the opposition Liberal-National Coalition has critiqued Labor’s energy transition, arguing it drives up electricity prices. Instead, they propose lifting a ban on nuclear energy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Controversy persists as Australia recently approved extensions for three coal mines, drawing criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s commitment to emissions reduction. Nevertheless, the government remains steadfast in its efforts to reshape Australia’s global climate reputation, once tarnished by its label as a climate action laggard.
The journey to greener energy and emissions reductions is underway, with global attention on Australia’s next steps.
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