Labor commits to cutting emissions 62% to 70% by 2035
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
More news: Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has described Labor’s 2035 emissions target as "fantasy land”, confirming the Coalition is united in opposition to the plan.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ley promised to “interrogate and test” the plan, which she said was based on a false assumption that Australia will meet its 2030 target.
Ley said energy policy must be based on two factors, cost and credibility, arguing Labor’s plan “fails on both counts”.
Repeatedly citing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s pledge to reduce energy bills by $275, made before the 2022 election, Ley urged the government to “be upfront about what [the plan] will actually cost”.
But the Coalition is in open conflict about its support for a previously bipartisan target, net zero emissions by 2050. It has no plans to announce a midterm target, which Australia is required to do under the terms of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Rejecting suggestions that her partyroom was “hopelessly divided” on climate change, Ley said there was “absolutely no division in opposing Labor’s latest piece of train wreck energy policy”.
“We know that we’re doing this on behalf of hard-working Australians who actually expect better from a government whose credibility is in tatters,” she said.
Ley did answer directly when asked whether she would allow Coalition members to vote for the 2035 target if it is put to Parliament, saying: “We don’t support this target”.
The Greens have described the target as "appallingly low”.
“Labor has sold out to the coal and gas corporations with this utter failure of a climate target … [It] is a betrayal of Australian communities and the planet,” Greens leader Larissa Waters said.
What they said: “If the government wants to have an honest conversation with Australians, they need to be upfront about announcements they make in critical areas of energy. Energy is the economy,” Ley said.
“They need to be upfront about what it will actually cost.”
Labor insists emissions target is the most achievable
More news: Labor insists the target is the maximum level achievable, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists the globe is pushing ahead with decarbonisation.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers described the plan as an “orderly transition" to net zero by 2050, providing investment certainty on the path to net zero by 2050.
Responding to claims that the target range is not ambitious enough, Bowen insisted advice showed that any target above 70% was simply unachievable.
“[This is the] maximum level of achievement possible based on all analysis and modelling,” Bowen said.
“The target must be two things: ambitious and achievable.”
Albanese also rejected suggestions that inaction on climate action among major powers, particularly the US, means Australia should not act. The prime minister cited comparable targets in South America and Europe.
“The amount of wind and solar power under construction in China is now nearly twice as much as the rest of the world can buy. Just a fun fact,” he said.
“We are part of what is a global transformation that is occurring. We need to do our part. But of course, we know the world has to act as well.”
What they said: “[This is the] maximum level of achievement possible based on all analysis and modelling is exactly the target [the Climate Change Authority] recommended – 62-70% – and exactly what we have accepted,” Bowen said.
Labor commits to cutting emissions 62% to 70% by 2035
The news: Labor will commit to reducing emissions by between 62% and 70% by 2035, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges Australia to “seize the economic opportunity” presented by the transition to renewables.
The context: Speaking alongside Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Energy Minister Chris Bowen after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Albanese unveiled an additional $7 billion to fund the transition as part of a plan he described as environmentally and economically responsible.
The prime minister announced the plan, which is part of Australia’s obligations under the Paris Climate Accord, included an additional $2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to drive down electricity prices, and $5 billion for a new Net Zero Fund which will be funded by the National Reconstruction Fund to assist large industry transition to renewables.
There is also an additional $40 million to accelerate the take-up of electric vehicles.
“As any technology gets better it becomes cheaper and more people embrace it. It is not a linear process, it happens in leaps and bounds,” he said.
Albanese confirmed Labor will not seek to legislate the target, as it did with its net zero emissions by 2050 target, because it would not receive bipartisan support.
He will formally submit the plan at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
The target is less ambitious than those unveiled by the UK (81% compared to 1990 levels) and Norway (70-75% compared to 1990 levels). US President Donald Trump has announced his administration will scrap the US’ aim to reduce emissions reductions by 61-66% compared to 2005 levels, which was unveiled by his predecessor Joe Biden.
Trump’s announcement prompted Labor to delay the unveiling of its own mid-term target at the end of last year.
Hours before the announcement, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said she was "deeply sceptical" about whatever target Labor would unveil.
“We need to make sure our energy policy delivers a stable, reliable grid that brings affordable energy for households and businesses,” Ley told ABC News.
“And yes, we do need to play our part in reducing emissions.”
The Coalition is currently deciding on whether it will continue its commitment to Australia’s long-term bipartisan goal, net zero emissions by 2050, which faces staunch opposition from a significant section of its partyroom.
On Wednesday, Ley left the door open to scrapping the target by claiming its cost currently “looks too high”.
Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie this week accepted that he would be forced to move to the backbench unless the target was scrapped.
On Monday, the government’s national climate risk assessment painted a dire picture of the climate crisis’ impact on Australia, including extreme droughts and natural disasters.
What they said: “This is a responsible target supported by science [and] backed by practical plan to get there and build proven technology,” Albanese said.
“It's 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.”
The sources: Albanese government press conference, ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald, Euronews
