Australia on Track to Cut Emissions by Nearly 43 Percent: Climate Change Minister

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen speaks to guests at the APAC Hydrogen Summit in Brisbane, Australia on Sept. 13, 2024. AAP Image/Jono Searle

Australia’s emissions reduction forecast has improved to 42.6 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, up from 37 percent last year.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen is set to table the Department of Climate Change and Energy’s latest annual emissions scorecard before Parliament on Nov. 28.

A day before, Bowen highlighted in a series of media interviews that the government’s policies are on track to achieve the emissions targets.

“Now we’re not saying this is game over and there isn’t more to do, but we are saying it shows we’re on track for those emissions reductions targets that we went to the election with and have been implementing,” he told ABC.

Progress in Renewable Energy Generation

Bowen also discussed the government’s progress toward generating 82 percent of electricity from renewables by 2030.

“We’ve seen more investment in renewable energy than we did in all of last year,” he said.

He added that the investment pipeline in renewable energy is now massive, equivalent to two-thirds of the existing National Energy Market.

Bowen also addressed the upcoming 2035 emissions targets, confirming that the government will rely on independent advice from the Climate Change Authority.

He noted that Australia is well-positioned to take advantage of global shifts in the energy market.

“Every challenge is an opportunity. Less renewable investment overseas could mean more in Australia,” he said.

Bowen remained confident despite global uncertainties, including the impact of U.S President-elect Donald Trump’s policies on international climate agreements.

“Elections come and go, but the fundamentals remain—we need to tackle climate change and embrace renewable energy as the cheapest form of energy.”

Opposition Questions Emissions Delays

Emissions targets became a point of contention during question time in Parliament on Nov. 25.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley pressed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the delay in announcing the 2035 emissions reduction target, accusing the government of secrecy and suggesting it could hurt families’ energy costs.

Paul Fletcher, Manager of Opposition Business, also criticised the government’s handling of emissions

“How does the prime minister expect Australians to take this government seriously on climate action?” he asked.

In response, Albanese pointed to Labor’s legislation that enshrined emissions targets for 2030 and net zero by 2050.

He said these targets are based on scientific advice and have been passed in Parliament despite opposition resistance.

Albanese also referenced global energy trends, noting, “Last year, the world added 460 gigawatts of new non-hydro renewables, while nuclear energy generation declined by one gigawatt. The transition to renewable energy is happening globally because it benefits both the environment and economies.”

Bowen also weighed in, saying, “We’ve done what the previous government couldn’t deliver—introducing safeguards, legislating vehicle emissions standards, and more.”