Climate target imminent as opposition voices concern
The Albanese government is set to end months of speculation and release its next emission reduction target, but there is scepticism about its feasibility.
Australia is about to unveil its next steps for tackling climate change as a divided opposition questions the cost of the fresh emissions target.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce the government’s 2035 emissions reduction target later on Thursday, once the figure is signed off by cabinet in Sydney.
Treasury has modelled a cut to greenhouse gas emissions of 65-75 per cent compared to 2005 levels, a range put forward by the Climate Change Authority.
But environmental groups want a target reduction of at least 80 per cent.
The target will build on the government’s 2030 goal of a 43 per cent cut in emissions from 2005 levels.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said concerns remained about the cost of meeting the target, regardless of the final figure.
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“I’m deeply sceptical about what the government may announce today with respect to these targets,” she said on Thursday.
“They need to demonstrate what is the cost and most particularly … where’s the credibility?
“Australia does need to play its part, and I don’t step away from that. But statements and objectives and targets need to be backed in with clear demonstrations by this government of what the cost will be and whether, in fact, they’re achievable.”
Under the Paris Agreement signed a decade ago, members must increase their emissions reduction targets every five years and cannot water them down.
Nations that signed up must submit updated targets by the end of September.
The imminent announcement of the climate target follows the release of the first National Climate Risk Assessment, which laid out a catastrophic vision of Australia’s future if global warming goes unchecked.
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The Coalition remains divided over the key climate target, with leadership aspirant Andrew Hastie threatening to quit the front bench if the net-zero commitment is not dumped.
Ley did not say what the Coalition’s own climate target would be, saying work continued on its policy review.
“We do need a stable, reliable grid. We’ll play our part in reducing emissions internationally and we’ll look closely and evaluate what the government comes up with,” she said.
“The cost to consumers and households has escalated under this government. And the promises for the future therefore really don’t hold water.”
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said any climate target must be a cut of more than 70 per cent.
“Nothing in the 60s is considered by anybody to be ambitious. So we do need an ambitious target and we do need a plan to get out of fossil fuels,” she told Sky News.
“The Labor Party is still just kicking the can down the road and doing the bidding of the fossil fuel companies.”
The Australian Conservation Foundation said a target as high as 80 per cent for 2035 would “give Australians and our environment the best chance of holding global warming at the safest levels now possible”.
Business groups have pitched a target at the lower end of the spectrum, warning emission cuts above 70 per cent would risk more than $150 billion in exports and send companies offshore.
The Paris Agreement, which Australia and 195 other parties adopted in 2015, aims to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
-with AAP
