The Albanese Government’s goal – to reduce emissions by between 62 and 70 per from 2005 to 2035 – is hugely disappointing.
Those of us who accept the science understand that this is insufficient to avert dangerous global warming. The Government’s own, quite thorough, National Climate Risk Assessment sets out the dire consequences that we can anticipate for future generations through the lack of strong action.
The Government claims it is doing the best it can, and provides extensive plans of action over several portfolios (agriculture and land, built environment, electricity and energy, industry, resources) together with treasury modelling to back that up.
But these claims are undermined by decisions, such as the one last week, to approve the extension of mining of the North West Shelf gas hub through till 2070.
The Albanese Government had the opportunity to capitalise on its decisive election win this year to set a bold target, and has settled instead for a broad compromise. Even the large business coalition, the Future Group, called for a 75 per cent target as a realistic and achievable goal. On the other hand, the diminished LNP opposition cannot even agree on whether there should be a goal at all.
Years of inaction, and disastrous decisions such as the Abbott Government’s repeal of the carbon price mechanism, are coming back to haunt us. Time is running out.
What do we want from the Government?
- We need the strongest possible commitment to keeping global warming to safe levels through genuine and bold action.
- We insist that the Government treat the 70% target as a floor, not a ceiling, and that they go to the next federal election with a pledge to increase the target further.
- Accounting fiction such as “carbon offsets” is not acceptable.
What can we do?
Be seen:
The Australian Youth Climate Council (AYCC) is organising snap rallies in each capital city on Monday September 22. In Sydney this will be outside the Prime Minister’s official residence at Kirribilli House from 10-11am. To join in, RSVP at https://www.aycc.org.au/sydsnapsleepin
Be heard:
Write, email or telephone our local MP for Reid, Sally Sitou. As always, be civil and polite. She has a track record of being one of the strongest advocates for climate action in the Labor caucus. Her contact details are at https://sallysitou.com/contact/
Be informed:
There is no substitute for understanding the issues.
Analyses of the emission reduction plans will unfold in the days to come but some good (unpaywalled) reading to date:
- “The Albanese government has finally set a 2035 climate course – and it’s a mission Australia must accept” – Tony Wood (Grattan Institute) for The Conversation https://theconversation.com/the-albanese-government-has-finally-set-a-2035-climate-course-and-its-a-mission-australia-must-accept-264885
- “How Australia plans to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050” – Tom McIlroy for The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/19/labors-2035-emissions-target-may-be-middle-of-the-road-but-it-shows-theres-no-going-back-on-climate
- “Independent advice spells out mammoth task ahead for government to reach 2035 target” – Maani Truu and Tom Crowley for ABC News
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-19/the-task-ahead-to-reach-2035-emissions-target/105789538
If you have the time, the source papers from the Federal Government of all the sector plans can be reached from the DCCEEW website here: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/setting-2035-target-path-net-zero
