Lyla Lindsey
Australia's efforts to combat climate change have been criticised as insufficient, with the country's 2030 target rated as Insufficient compared to its fair share of emissions allocation. Despite this, the country has implemented various measures to reduce emissions, such as the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme and the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme. Additionally, the Australian government has introduced the Climate Change Bill 2022, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. While the government supports carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a solution, environmental activists and politicians have criticised it as a false solution, arguing that it perpetuates the use of fossil fuels. However, the private sector is driving the development of Australia's CCS industry, with projects like the Moomba CCS Project and the South East Australia CCS Hub.
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What You'll Learn
Australia's support for CCS
CCS is a process that separates, treats, and transports carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources to long-term storage locations, typically underground. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and Australia has recognised the role of CCS in achieving this.
In 2021, the Australian government announced $250 million in funding for the 'Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Hubs and Technologies Program'. However, this funding was reduced to $141.1 million in the 2022-23 Federal Budget, and the program was removed from the 2023-24 Federal Budget. Despite this reduction in funding, the government continues to endorse CCS. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has stated that CCS is a key mechanism in fighting climate change, and the private sector is driving the development of Australia's CCS industry.
The ALP's 2021 National Platform outlines its support for CCS as a means to abate carbon pollution and ensure industries meet carbon pollution reduction goals. This is in line with the Paris Agreement's goals. Additionally, the government's Low Emissions Technology Roadmap includes CCS as one of its priority goals, aiming to achieve CCS compression, transportation, and storage of CO2 under $20 per tonne.
However, there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of CCS as a climate mitigation tool. Some critics argue that it may perpetuate the use of fossil fuels and that it is a false solution to the climate crisis. Nevertheless, Australia's support for CCS remains, and it is seen as a crucial component of the country's climate change mitigation strategy.
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Climate Action Tracker's rating of Australia's 2030 target
Australia's 2030 target has been rated "Insufficient" by the Climate Action Tracker (CAT). This rating indicates that Australia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target for 2030 needs substantial improvements to align with the global mitigation effort to restrict warming to 1.5°C. Australia's target is at the least stringent end of what constitutes a fair share of global effort and is inconsistent with the 1.5°C limit unless other countries make more significant reductions.
CAT's assessment considers Australia's emissions reduction target and its climate finance. Australia's climate finance contributions are rated "Critically Insufficient," indicating that the country's financial contributions to addressing climate change are low and do not align with a fair approach to meeting the Paris Agreement's goals.
To improve its rating, Australia is urged to take several actions. Firstly, the country needs to set more ambitious 2030 targets for emissions reductions, demonstrating a stronger commitment to mitigating climate change. Secondly, Australia should establish and implement policies that support its stated objectives, ensuring that these policies are transparent and do not rely heavily on uncertain estimates from the land sector.
Additionally, Australia is encouraged to introduce full transparency regarding its land sector modelling and revisions. This includes providing clear information about its land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF) estimates, which have been revised upwards in recent years. Australia's continued reliance on the LULUCF sink to achieve its climate goals is inconsistent with the Paris Agreement's objectives and the country's own emission reduction commitments.
Furthermore, Australia should decrease its support for the fossil fuel industry. This includes ceasing financial and administrative backing for coal and gas projects and refraining from initiating new developments in this sector. Instead, Australia should establish a framework to transition away from fossil fuel exports and focus on renewable energy sources.
While Australia's states and territories are taking more ambitious climate action, with most having more aggressive 2030 targets or 2035/2040 targets in place, the federal government's efforts fall short. Australia's overall fair share contribution to climate change mitigation is rated as "Highly Insufficient" by CAT, indicating that the country needs to substantially enhance its climate commitments and financial contributions to align with the Paris Agreement's temperature goals.
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Australia's fossil fuel industry support
Australia's fossil fuel industry continues to receive support from the government, which has reaffirmed its commitment to the production and export of fossil fuels until 2050 and beyond. This includes the approval of seven new coal mine projects in 2023 and 2024, which will prolong coal mining and exports for decades. The government also backs the oil and gas industry, as outlined in its Future Gas Strategy.
However, Australia has demonstrated a willingness to transition towards renewable energy and mitigate climate change. The government's Capacity Investment Scheme demonstrates a commitment to its 82% renewable electricity target for 2030. Additionally, the government introduced the Climate Change Bill 2022, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Despite these efforts, Australia's actions are deemed insufficient to meet the 1.5°C target outlined in the Paris Agreement. To align with this goal, Australia must strengthen its domestic emissions reductions and increase its financial contributions to climate action in developing countries. Australia's support for the fossil fuel industry, particularly its reliance on carbon capture and storage (CCS), is seen as a false solution by critics. CCS is criticised for perpetuating the use of fossil fuels and masking minimal emission reductions.
The government has reduced funding for CCS-associated programs, and there is a call for Australia to stop supporting the fossil fuel industry altogether. Instead, the focus should be on halting new fossil fuel projects and establishing a framework to transition away from fossil fuel exports.
While the government has made some strides towards renewable energy and climate change mitigation, Australia's ongoing support for the fossil fuel industry and reliance on CCS are seen as barriers to achieving the necessary emission reduction targets.
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Australia's renewable energy targets
The government has set a target of reducing emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This is outlined in the Climate Change Bill 2022, which is a step towards addressing climate change. However, some critics argue that Australia's targets could be more ambitious, with greater emissions reductions and higher renewable energy goals.
The government's Capacity Investment Scheme demonstrates its commitment to an 82% renewable electricity target for 2030. However, investment in large-scale renewable energy projects decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, and there is a lack of federal-level plans and timelines for phasing out coal and fossil gas. The government introduced new policies in the industry and transport sectors in 2024, aiming to drive down technology costs and partner with businesses to deploy renewable energy solutions.
There is also a focus on protected areas, with a commitment to increase them from 22% to 30% by 2030, contributing to emissions reduction and habitat protection. Australians are also taking individual actions, such as reducing consumption, recycling, adopting sustainable diets, using electric vehicles, and supporting renewable energy initiatives. Overall, there is a growing demand for more ambitious climate action and stronger accountability from the Australian community.
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Australia's climate change mitigation efforts
The Australian government has also committed to increasing protected areas in the country from 22% to 30% by 2030, which will help protect habitats for threatened species and contribute to emissions reduction. Additionally, the government has introduced the Powering Australia plan, which aims to create jobs, reduce pressure on energy bills, and boost renewable energy sources.
One of the key focuses of Australia's climate change mitigation efforts is the development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. CCS is a process that separates, treats, and transports carbon dioxide from industrial sources to long-term storage locations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Australian government has provided funding for CCS-associated programs, and the country's private sector is also actively developing CCS projects. However, some critics argue that CCS is a false solution promoted by the fossil fuel industry, and that it may lead to continued dependence on fossil fuels.
To further reduce emissions, Australia has implemented the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, encouraging more electricity generation from renewable sources. The country also has the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme, a single national framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, and consumption. Additionally, the Safeguard Mechanism requires Australia's largest greenhouse gas emitters to maintain net emissions below a limit that will be reduced over time.
Despite these efforts, Australia still faces challenges in its climate change mitigation journey. There is a lack of federal-level plans and committed timelines for the phase-out of coal and fossil gas. The government has approved new coal mine projects and continues to support the oil and gas industry, which is incompatible with the Paris Agreement's goals and its own emission reduction commitments. To improve its climate action, Australia needs to decrease its reliance on offsetting and fossil fuel industries, implement ambitious policies for genuine emissions reduction, and increase transparency in its land sector modelling and revision.
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Frequently asked questions
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a process in which carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources is separated, treated, and transported to a long-term storage location.
CCS helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating climate change. The IPCC's 2022 report on mitigating climate change describes CCS as one of the ways to limit emissions from the electricity sector and meet Paris Agreement goals.
Australia's government has shown support for CCS, with the Federal Resources Minister, Madeleine King, endorsing it as a key mechanism in fighting climate change. However, there has been a reduction in federal funding for CCS-associated programs, indicating a retreat in policy-level support.
Australia has implemented various measures to address climate change, such as the Climate Change Bill 2022, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. Additionally, Australians have shown support for climate action by consuming less, recycling more, and advocating for renewable energy. However, Australia's 2030 NDC target has been rated as "Insufficient" compared to its fair share of emissions allocation, indicating a need for substantial improvements.
Australia faces challenges such as its continued support for the fossil fuel industry, including approving new coal mine projects and supporting the oil and gas industry. Additionally, there is a lack of federal-level plans and committed timelines for phasing out coal and fossil gas. Australia needs to strengthen its domestic emissions reductions and increase its contributions to climate finance in developing countries.
