Leslie Massey
Australia has long recognised the role of sustainable development in ensuring the well-being of the country and its people. The Australian government has adopted an approach to the SDGs that is appropriate for the country's national circumstances, with government policy responsibilities and priorities devolved to the relevant agencies and levels. The country has abundant natural resources, sustainable business practices, and world-class research and technologies. However, Australia has some of the world's highest carbon emissions per person and performs poorly on clean energy and climate change goals. Despite the fact that Australia has set targets for decarbonising its economy, it is still among the low-performing countries in the Climate Change Performance Index, ranking 52nd.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global rank in sustainable development | 38th |
| Global rank in progress towards Sustainable Development Goals | 20th |
| Marine protected area | 3.2 million sq km |
| Performance in the UN's Human Development Index | 2nd |
| Performance in gender equality | Low (26.7% women in national parliament) |
| Performance in the Climate Change Performance Index | 52nd |
| Performance in climate policy | Low |
| Performance in renewable energy | Low |
| Performance in energy use | Very low |
| National target for GHG emissions reduction | 43% by 2030 |
| National target for net zero emissions | 2050 |
| Target for renewable energy in electricity grids | 82% by 2030 |
| Target for global emissions cuts | 43% by 2030, 60% by 2035 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's performance on Sustainable Development Goals
Australia has recognised the role of sustainable development in ensuring the well-being of the country and its people. The Australian government has adopted an approach to the SDGs that is appropriate for the country's national circumstances, with government policy responsibilities and priorities devolved to the relevant agency and level.
In 2025, Australia ranked 20th on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the SDG Index and Dashboard report by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the German think tank Bertelsmann Stiftung. This ranking evaluates countries' performance using 77 indicators. While Australia performs well in areas like poverty eradication, education, and water quality, it falls short on the environmental goals, including clean energy and climate change targets.
Australia has some of the world's highest carbon emissions per person and struggles with solid waste management, land clearing, and loss of biodiversity. It ranks 52nd in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) for 2025, indicating that it is among the low-performing countries. Despite this, Australia has made some progress in reducing fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting them to other industries. Additionally, the country has set targets for decarbonising its economy, aiming for a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
To achieve these goals, the Australian government is investing in priority sectors and transforming its energy systems to deliver cheap, clean, and reliable energy. Australia is also leveraging its abundant natural resources, such as sun, wind, land, and minerals, to develop new clean industries and establish itself as a partner in the global transition to a low-carbon economy.
Australia has also contributed to global sustainability efforts through initiatives like the expansion of its marine protected area estate to 3.2 million square kilometres in 2012, making it the largest representative marine protected areas network in the world. Additionally, Australia participated in the 2018 Voluntary National Review of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, demonstrating its commitment to reporting on its progress and achievements towards the SDGs.
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Australia's energy transition
Australia has long recognised the role of sustainable development in ensuring the well-being of the country and its people. The Australian government is investing in a net-zero future, with targets for decarbonising enshrined in law. These laws require Australia to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 43% (compared to 2005 levels) by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Australia has abundant natural resources, sustainable business practices, and world-class research and technologies. The government is making significant investments in priority sectors under the Future Made in Australia plan. The country is also leveraging its competitive strengths in renewable energy and minerals to unlock its renewable energy superpower potential. Australia's abundant, reliable, and affordable clean energy will power a new generation of manufacturing and industry.
In 2023, 35% of Australia's total electricity generation was from renewable energy sources. The government is targeting 82% renewable energy in its electricity grids by 2030. To achieve this, the government has announced the first offshore wind zones, marking the start of the development of an offshore wind industry. This will lead to significant growth in renewable electricity capacity.
Despite these efforts, Australia has some of the world's highest carbon emissions per person and rates poorly on clean energy and climate change goals. The country is among the largest developers of coal and gas reserves and continues to support fossil fuel mining. However, since the election of the current government in mid-2022, there has been a significant shift in Australia's approach to climate change. The government has committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels and signed the Clean Energy Transition Partnership.
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Australia's environmental sustainability
Australia has been ranked 20th in the world for its progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a roadmap for global development efforts to 2030 and beyond. This ranking takes into account a country's performance in areas such as social and economic development, as well as environmental sustainability. While Australia performs well in terms of social and economic development, it needs to improve its efforts in environmental sustainability.
One of Australia's key challenges is its high carbon emissions per person, which contribute to poor ratings in clean energy and climate change goals. The country has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve these targets, the Australian government is investing in priority sectors and working to transform its energy systems. In 2023, 35% of Australia’s total electricity generation was from renewable energy sources, and the government is targeting 82% renewable energy in electricity grids by 2030.
Despite these efforts, Australia has faced criticism for its continuing support of fossil fuel mining and production. However, since the election of the current government in 2022, there has been a shift in the country's approach to climate change. The government has redirected fossil fuel subsidies to other industries and signed the Clean Energy Transition Partnership. Additionally, Australia has expanded its marine protected area, now covering around 36% of the waters within its jurisdiction, making it the largest representative marine protected area network in the world.
Australia is also recognised for its sustainable business practices and world-class research and technologies. Australian businesses are increasingly embedding sustainable practices into their operations, such as decarbonising, using more renewable energy, reducing waste, and pursuing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. Australia's abundance of sun, wind, land, and critical minerals positions it well for a net-zero future, and its high ESG standards make it an attractive destination for net-zero investment.
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Australia's social sustainability
Australia has long recognised the role of sustainable development in ensuring the well-being of the country and its people. The Australian government has adopted an approach to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) that is appropriate for the country's national circumstances, with government policy responsibilities and priorities devolved to the relevant agency and level.
The SDGs contain long-standing, complex policy challenges with no simple solutions. They require a joint effort from governments, businesses, organisations, and individuals. Australia's economic success is a product of broad-scale economic, industrial, and trade-related reforms. However, the country continues to face challenges in improving health, economic, justice, and well-being outcomes for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Australia ranks 20th on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, according to the SDG Index and Dashboards report. While Australia performs well in terms of human development, with long life expectancy and general good health of Australians, it needs to address climate and environmental goals urgently. Australia has one of the world's highest carbon emissions per person and rates poorly on clean energy goals. It also falls short on environmental goals, with high levels of solid waste, land clearing, and loss of biodiversity.
To address these challenges, Australia has expanded its marine protected area to 3.2 million square kilometres, covering around 36% of the waters within its jurisdiction, making it the largest representative marine protected area network in the world. Additionally, Australia is supporting initiatives to close data gaps, such as the Individual Deprivation Measure (IDM) and the kNOwVAWdata program, which aims to strengthen the capacity to measure violence against women in Asia and the Pacific.
At the local level, the City of Sydney has adopted a social sustainability policy, aiming to build a strong, resilient, equitable, and sustainable city for everyone. This policy recognises that personal well-being impacts collective well-being and vice versa. By putting equality and social justice at the centre of its growth, the city hopes to create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
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Australia's economic sustainability
Australia has a highly developed mixed economy and is one of the few countries that did not experience two consecutive negative quarters of growth during the global recession. Its economy is dominated by the service sector, which in 2017 comprised 62.7% of the GDP and employed 78.8% of the labour force. Australia has enjoyed 26 years of uninterrupted economic growth, but this has not been without challenges.
One of the main challenges is the country's high levels of CO2 emissions and pollution, which threaten biodiversity and will require significant changes to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Australia's fossil fuel exports also undermine other countries' ability to achieve these goals. Australia's performance on the SDG Index and Dashboard report, which ranks countries' progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, placed it 20th in 2025. While Australia ranks highly on the UN's Human Development Index, it needs to improve its performance on the climate and environmental goals.
The Australian government has recognised the importance of sustainable development for the country and its people and has implemented various initiatives to promote sustainability. For example, the Australian Green Skills Agreement seeks to build the capacity of the vocational education and training sector to deliver the skills required for a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Climate Active issues certificates to businesses and other organisations that reach net-zero emissions, providing incentives for them to reduce their emissions and inform their stakeholders about their commitment to sustainability. Additionally, the government has contributed funding to the Coral Triangle Initiative, which aims to conserve the biodiverse and productive seas that are a foundation for livelihoods and ecologically sustainable economic growth in the region.
Australia has also grappled with budgeting rules and flexibility, with the current Labor government abandoning the previous Liberal-National Coalition Government's 23.9% cap on federal tax revenue as a share of GDP. The health and sustainability of public budgets depend on the underlying performance of the economy, and Australia's budget has been challenged by the global recession and the spending required during the pandemic. However, there has been a promising trend towards improved transparency in Australian budgets, as measured by the Open Budget Survey.
Overall, Australia's economic sustainability is closely tied to its commitment to sustainable development and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. While the country has made efforts to promote sustainability, it needs to act urgently to address its environmental goals and reduce its carbon emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has been ranked 20th in the world for progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has also been ranked 38th globally for sustainable development. While Australia has demonstrated strengths in social and economic development, it needs to improve in the area of environmental sustainability.
The Australian government is investing in a net-zero future. It has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The government is also targeting 82% renewable energy in electricity grids by 2030 and has established the first offshore wind zones.
Australia has some of the world's highest carbon emissions per person and struggles with solid waste, land clearing, and loss of biodiversity. It also continues to support fossil fuel mining, although there has been a shift towards transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Scandinavian nations are leading the way in sustainability, while African countries are trailing. Australia ranks higher than Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and China.
