Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Australia will set a target to cut emissions by 62 to 70 per cent by 2035, while announcing billions of dollars towards net zero schemes, drawing condemnation from climate advocates and the Opposition. Source: Canberra Times.
Mr Albanese and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen handed down Labor’s updated climate target yesterday after it was approved during a cabinet meeting.
“It is the right target to protect our environment, to protect and advance our economy and jobs and to ensure that we act in our national interest and in the interest of this and future generations,” Mr Albanese said.
Australia will submit its new goal ahead of the COP30 climate summit to be held in Brazil in November.
Labor said its plan to cut emissions by 62-70 per cent had been informed by a national climate risk assessment released earlier this week, which warned that 1.5 million Australians will be at high risk from cyclones, flooding and erosion by 2050 under current levels of global heating.
Mr Bowen argued that the Government’s goal was ambitious, arguing that a higher emissions target was not practical.
In addition to the climate target, the Government has announced $5 billion to establish a Net Zero Fund within the National Reconstruction Fund to help industries decarbonise.
A further $2 billion was allocated for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, with another $1.1 billion already announced to encourage the production of clean fuels in Australia.
The Greens, whose support will be required for Labor to pass its legislated 2035 target, described the figure as “abysmal” and urged the Government to reconsider.
“Labor has given up on the science and listened to their coal and gas donors – who are making massive profits, many paying no tax, while everyday people, families, and businesses pay the price,” Greens leader Larissa Waters said during a press conference.
The Coalition, which remains deeply divided on its climate targets for 2050, said it opposed the Government’s “fantasy” emissions goal and demanded that more details on its price impacts be released.
FULL STORY
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces 2035 climate target (By Eleanor Campbell, Canberra Times)
