Former US Vice-President Al Gore Endorses Climate Credentials of Queensland Premier

Former US vice president Al Gore speaks during a session at the COP28 United Nations climate summit in Dubai on Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

New Queensland Premier Steven Miles has received glowing praise from former United States Vice President and climate change activist Al Gore.

Mr. Gore is delighted with the new premier’s plan to slash climate emissions by 75 percent by the year 2035.

Labor Party caucus members selected Mr. Miles as the 40th premier of Queensland on Dec. 15, replacing Annastacia Palaszczuk.

In a post to X, Mr. Gore touted the new premier as an inspiration around the globe due to his ambitious climate targets.

“Queensland, Australia has a new climate champion in charge. On day one as Premier,  Steven Miles unveiled a new, ambitious target to cut GHG pollution 75 percent by 2035,” Mr. Gore posted to X.

“I know there’s more to come and hope his leadership inspires others across Australia and around the world.”

The 75-year-old served as the U.S. vice-president from 1993 to 2001, supporting President Bill Clinton. He lost a presidential bid to George W. Bush in a close race in the year 2000.

Mr. Gore founded The Climate Reality Project and starred in the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. In 2007, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his climate activism, together with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Al Gore, environmentalist and former vice president of the United States, presents the Climate TRACE global greenhouse gases emissions database on day four of the UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 3, 2023. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Queensland Plan To Reduce Emissions

Mr. Miles announced Queensland’s climate target during his first press conference as the new premier of Queensland on Friday.

“Today, I can announce we will lift Queensland’s ambition on climate action to strengthen our economy and create jobs. We will reduce Queensland’s emissions by 75 percent by 2035,” Mr. Miles said.

“We will create certainty for industry and for jobs by legislating this target. We are making a very clear statement to the world that Queensland is the place to do business if you’re looking to use clean energy to create prosperity.”

Previously, Queensland had a target of reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

In response to the post from Mr. Gore, Steven Miles thanked the former vice-president for his support and touted Queensland’s emission reduction plan.

“Queensland’s new 75 percent emissions reduction by 2035 target is bold, but with the backing of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and our government’s commitment to renewables we’ll get there.

“Thank you to Al Gore for all the support over the years.”