Australia unveils 2035 emissions target, drawing environmental criticism

Australia announced on Thursday its 2035 emissions target, aiming for a 62%-70% reduction from 2005 levels. 

This figure was lower than anticipated and drew criticism from environmental organisations, according to a Reuters report.

Countries are requested by the United Nations to submit their climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), by the end of September. 

This deadline allows for their efforts to be assessed prior to the COP30 climate summit, scheduled for November in Brazil.

Australia ranks among the world's highest per capita polluters, primarily due to its extensive resource industry, which involves significant extraction of coal and natural gas.

Targets 

The Climate Change Authority, an independent advisory body, initially suggested a target range of 65%-75%. However, the country's actual target is lower than this range, as well as below the Treasury Department's modelled projections.

On Thursday, Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, stated at a news conference that the reduced target was a more attainable goal.

Environmentalists sharply criticised the reduced target, deeming it unambitious and prioritising industry over vulnerable communities in the region facing climate change.

"The Albanese government's new climate plan is an affront to communities across the Pacific and Australia facing the escalating impacts of dangerous climate change," Shiva Gounden, head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific was quoted in the Reuters report.

According to Dermot O’Gorman, CEO of WWF-Australia, the target "dangerously short of what the science demands."

Green energy 

On Thursday, the centre-left Labor government demonstrated its commitment to environmental initiatives by allocating billions of dollars in additional funding towards clean energy.

In collaboration with other Pacific nations, Canberra is also vying to host the COP31 summit in 2026.

However, its recent choice to prolong the lifespan of a large natural gas project has created friction with several Pacific Island nations. These countries are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.

According to Stephanie Bashir, CEO of Nexa Advisory, a firm assisting businesses in their transition to clean energy, Australia's reluctance to commit to phasing out its aging coal power plants is impeding the adoption of renewables.

"Certainty around coal closures will send the much needed market signals for renewable development," she said in the report. 

Among the climate targets submitted to the UN thus far, the United Kingdom's is the most ambitious, aiming for an 81% reduction from 1990 levels. 

Norway follows with a pledge of a 70%-75% cut. It's worth noting that most of these targets, including Australia's, use different baseline years.

Alignment with EU

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, stated that the country's proposed reduction aligns with indications from allies like the European Union, which has not yet finalised its target.

On Thursday, the government announced A$5 billion ($3.32 billion) in funding to support the decarbonization of industrial facilities. 

Additionally, A$2 billion was allocated to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to maintain downward pressure on electricity prices.

Albanese affirmed that while Australia might not be the largest polluter or economy, its dedication to addressing climate change remains significant.