The federal government has unveiled Australia's emissions reduction target for 2035, and announced billions in extra funding to help the nation reach the goal.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that the nation will aim to reduce total carbon emissions by 62-70 per cent, compared to 2005 levels.
"This is a responsible target supported by science and a practical plan to get there and built on proven technology," he said.
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"It is 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 target is more ambitious than New Zealand's goal of 51-55 per cent, but far less so than the United Kingdom, which has a legal commitment to reduce emissions by 81 per cent compared to 1990 levels.
The government also outlined new plans to help Australia achieve its goal, including a new $5 billion net zero fund to support mining and heavy industry to reduce emissions, as well as millions in extra funding to roll out curbside fast charging for electric vehicles.
The announcement comes just days after Australia's first-ever climate risk assessment painted a bleak future of surging heatwave deaths, worsening droughts and other natural disasters, and millions of people at risk from rising sea levels if global warming can't be kept to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times.
However, the government is already facing criticism that the 62-70 per cent target is incompatible with keeping warming to that level.
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"It prioritises fossil fuel profits and business interests over people, and effectively abandons our commitment under the Paris Agreement to collectively limit global heating to 1.5 degrees," Greenpeace Australia Pacific's Shiva Gounden said.
"It means homes and lands inundated by floods and rising seas; prolonged droughts and severe heatwaves decimating our agriculture and fisheries; the places and wildlife we love ravaged by infernos; our unique cultures and ways of life eroded."
However, the government defended its target, which was recommended by the Climate Change Authority, saying it was the most ambitious yet achievable goal it could set out.
"The Climate Change Authority chair made it clear," Energy and Climate Minister Chris Bowen said.
"They were obliged under law to consider 1.5… a target over 70 is not achievable, that advice is clear.
"We have gone for the maximum level of ambition that is achievable."
Marine conservation and bushfire survivor groups have also labelled the target as too weak, but Albanese said he was also expecting to face criticism that it is too high.
"We think we have a sweet spot," he said.
"There will be criticism from some who say it is too high, some who will say it is too low.
"What we have done is accept the Climate Change Authority's advice and, importantly, this is world's best practice."
More to come.
