The Australian Greens have said Labor’s refusal to commit to a 2035 climate target at the upcoming global climate summit is driven by rising emissions under Anthony Albanese – which are now higher than under Scott Morrison – and is a blow to plans to meet Paris Agreement climate goals.
Earlier this week the UK announced its own 2035 emissions reduction target of 81 per cent, along with a ban on all new licences to mine coal.
Despite previously committing to releasing Australia’s target by February next year, today the Prime Minister indicated the government may delay any target until after the next election.
In the lead up to the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, world leaders have been told the globe is on track for a catastrophic 2.7 degrees of warming, well above the Paris Agreement goals of 2 and 1.5 degrees.
Labor’s weak 2030 targets were already inconsistent with the Paris goals, and with emissions rising under Labor from 438.6Mt a year under Morrison to 440.2Mt now, Labor’s delay on 2035 shows it has given up on stopping dangerous global warming.
The Greens say the only 2035 target consistent with the science is net-zero emissions. Australia is the world’s third largest exporter of fossil fuel pollution and is a critical player at the COP climate summit.
As stated by Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
“Labor are climate frauds.
“Emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than Scott Morrison, Labor has approved 28 new coal and gas projects and now they’re backing away from 2035 targets.
“With Donald Trump now US President and Peter Dutton spruiking nuclear here, Labor must stop lifting emissions and join the UK in pushing for strong action by 2035, otherwise we won’t stop global warming.
“The only 2035 target consistent with a safe climate is net zero. At the climate summit, Labor must match and raise the UK’s climate ambition and give voters peace of mind that this government takes climate change seriously.”
