Australia’s new Labor government upped its 2030 carbon-cutting target on Thursday, bringing the country closer in line with other developed economies’ climate pledge.
Carbon dioxide emissions per capita in Australia are equivalent to 17.10 tonnes per person, ranking 14th in the world. The country thus submitted more ambitious target to the UN, vowing that it will reduce carbon emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030, up from the previous conservative government’s aim of 26% to 28%.
Australia, the world’s top exporter of coal and liquefied natural gas, was long considered as a slacker in climate promises under the previous government, with no clear energy and climate policy to stimulate renewable energy investments.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was chastised at last year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow for failing to announce a more ambitious emissions-cutting objective, while the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan all increased their targets significantly.
Canada aims to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, while the U.S. aims to reduce emissions by up to 52%.
“For years, the Australian government told the world that was all too hard,” Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told reporters at a televised media conference in Canberra. “We send the message to the rest of the world, to our friends and allies, that we're partners in tackling the climate emergency. We send the message to Australians that we seek to end the climate wars, as the Prime Minister said.”
The attempt to raise emission reduction target comes as the country faces a significant power crisis caused by scheduled and unforeseen coal-fired generator outages, which has increased demand for gas-fired production at a time when global gas prices have surged.
Bowen stated that the crisis has highlighted the need to accelerate, rather than slow down, work on the legislation required to attract more investment in renewable energy.
