Damon Mcknight
Climate change is a pressing issue in Australia, with the country facing a species extinction crisis and the Great Barrier Reef, Earth's largest living structure, projected to die off if climate goals are not met. The three largest political parties in Australia, the Labor Party, the Liberal-National Coalition, and the Greens, have outlined their plans and policies to tackle climate change. The Greens are the only major political party with seats in the current parliament that supports science-aligned targets to reduce climate pollution and an end to new and expanded coal and gas projects. The Labor Party has a strong stance against nuclear power and has made progress on the regulatory and policy framework for a transition to a green economy, but has been criticized for approving new coal and gas projects. The Liberal-National Coalition has been criticized for its lack of commitment to cutting climate pollution and its support for nuclear energy, which is projected to increase emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Party name | The Greens |
| Supports science-aligned targets to reduce climate pollution | Yes |
| End to new and expanded coal and gas projects | Yes |
| Pledged to spend 1% of the budget on nature | Yes |
| Pledged to end native forest logging nationally | Yes |
| Pledged to spend $20 billion on biodiversity restoration over the next decade | Yes |
| Pledged to fund climate change measures by taxing big corporations | Yes |
| Pledged to renationalise Australia's electricity sector | Yes |
| Pledged to phase out coal and gas-fired power plants by 2030 | Yes |
| Plan to use nuclear energy to decarbonise the electricity grid | No |
| Plan to build nuclear power plants across the country | No |
| Plan to "ramp up" domestic gas production | No |
| Plan to slow the rollout of renewables | No |
| Plan to keep coal-fired power plants open for longer | No |
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What You'll Learn
- The Greens: the only major party with seats in parliament supporting science-aligned climate targets
- Labor: criticised for approving new coal mines and expansions, but scored points for clean energy transition work
- Liberal-National Coalition: no plan to cut climate pollution, with nuclear energy plans potentially adding to pollution
- Teal Independents: their climate targets are consistent with 1.5 °C of global warming
- Climate Analytics: analysed the global warming implications of the 2030 climate targets of the various parties
The Greens: the only major party with seats in parliament supporting science-aligned climate targets
The Greens are the only major political party with seats in the current Australian parliament that supports science-aligned targets to reduce climate pollution and an end to new and expanded coal and gas projects. Their actions during the 47th Parliament advanced climate action, pushing the Labor government to go further in exchange for the passage of legislation in the senate. The Greens have advocated for science-aligned reductions in climate pollution, acknowledging the need to reach net zero by 2035 or sooner.
The Greens have sought to amend Australia’s climate change laws to incorporate this 2035 net-zero target, with an interim target of a 75% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. They have pledged to stop new coal and gas projects and have already passed amendments making it harder for new gas projects to be developed. The Greens' policies stand in contrast to those of the two other major parties, Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition, which have both been criticised for their attachment to polluting fossil fuels.
The Greens have also pledged to spend 1% of the budget on nature, end native forest logging nationally, and spend $20 billion on biodiversity restoration over the next decade. They have proposed a $40 billion renationalisation of Australia's electricity sector, which would see all coal and gas-fired power plants phased out by 2030, funded by taxing big corporations.
The Greens' policies are in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, while the Liberal-National Coalition's targets are consistent with 3˚C of warming (bordering on 4˚C), and the Labor Party’s target is consistent with 2˚C.
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Labor: criticised for approving new coal mines and expansions, but scored points for clean energy transition work
The Labor Party has faced criticism from climate analysts and experts for approving new coal mines and expansions and pledging support for new gas projects. Climate analysts have criticised the party for its commitment to expanding the "climate-wrecking coal and gas industries". In addition, the party has approved 26 new coal, oil and gas projects.
However, the Labor Party has also scored points for its work on the clean energy and clean manufacturing transition. The party has made inroads in its last term of office on the regulatory and policy framework that could guide Australia's transition to a green economy. Some of the changes introduced under the last government include new laws requiring Australia's biggest corporations to disclose their climate risk and actions, strengthening the regulation of Australia's biggest polluters, and introducing emissions standards for cars sold into the country.
The Labor Party has also been recognised for its strong stance against costly, risky, and nuclear power. The party has also taken a firm position against the Federal Coalition's plan to build nuclear power plants, which has been criticised as a climate disaster that would add billions of tonnes of pollution.
Overall, while the Labor Party has faced criticism for its support for coal and gas projects, it has also been recognised for its efforts in transitioning to clean energy and addressing climate change through regulatory and policy frameworks. The party's victory in the 2025 election indicates that Australians are seeking progress and action on climate change.
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Liberal-National Coalition: no plan to cut climate pollution, with nuclear energy plans potentially adding to pollution
The Liberal-National Coalition's climate platform has been criticised for lacking a clear plan to address climate pollution. The Coalition's plan centres around the use of nuclear energy to decarbonise the electricity grid, with a proposal to build nuclear power plants at seven sites across Australia. This plan has been met with scepticism due to its potential impact on emissions and the lack of supporting evidence for its effectiveness.
The Coalition's modelling indicates that their nuclear energy strategy will result in higher emissions during the transition period before any reactors become operational. This raises concerns about the plan's overall contribution to reducing climate pollution. Furthermore, the Coalition's commitment to nuclear energy may hinder investments in renewable energy solutions, such as solar, wind, and battery technologies, which are crucial for Australia's transition to a cleaner energy landscape.
Furthermore, the Coalition's nuclear energy plan faces significant obstacles. To realise their plan, the Coalition would need to overturn the federal ban on nuclear energy and convince states to do the same, as most state premiers and opposition leaders are opposed to nuclear energy. The Coalition's leader, Peter Dutton, has claimed that their nuclear energy strategy will result in cheaper power prices and significant reductions in energy bills. However, these claims have been disputed by experts, who argue that nuclear power would be significantly more expensive than power from renewable sources.
The Coalition's stance on nuclear energy has also led to internal divisions within the Liberal-National Coalition. Some members of the Coalition, particularly from the Nationals, have expressed strong opposition to nuclear energy and the target of net-zero emissions by 2050. These disagreements ultimately contributed to a split within the Coalition, with the Nationals deciding to leave the Coalition agreement. The Nationals' leader, David Littleproud, cited irreconcilable differences over nuclear energy as a key reason for the split.
In summary, the Liberal-National Coalition's approach to climate change has been criticised for lacking a comprehensive plan to reduce climate pollution. Their focus on nuclear energy has raised concerns about potential increases in emissions and the potential hindrance of investments in renewable energy solutions. Additionally, the Coalition's nuclear energy plan faces significant political and logistical challenges, and their claims about reduced energy costs have been disputed by experts. The internal divisions within the Coalition over nuclear energy and climate targets further highlight the lack of a cohesive strategy to address climate pollution.
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Teal Independents: their climate targets are consistent with 1.5 °C of global warming
The Teal Independents are a group of 22 independent candidates who received funding from Climate 200 and ran in the 2025 election. They are challenging Liberal MPs in urban electorates that are traditionally considered Liberal heartlands. Notably, 19 of the 22 Climate 200-backed candidates are women, many of whom have had highly successful careers. The Teal Independents are not career politicians but rather professionals making a radical sideways leap because, they argue, it is necessary.
The Teal Independents responded to the frustration over climate inaction in the wake of events such as the 2019 bushfires. They ran on platforms of science-backed climate action, integrity reform, and real progress on gender equality. Their climate targets include cutting emissions by 50% to 60% by 2030, with one candidate, Zoe Daniel, adding an 80% renewable energy target by 2030. These targets are more ambitious than those of the Coalition and Labor but less ambitious than the Greens.
The Teal Independents' climate targets are consistent with 1.5 °C of global warming. To meet the 1.5 °C target, the world needs to cut emissions by about 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The Teal Independents' targets are in line with these requirements, and their focus on climate action is a key part of their appeal to moderate Liberal constituents who are frustrated with the Liberal Party's position on environmental issues.
The success of the Teal Independents in the 2025 election demonstrates the importance of climate action to many Australians. A record 1 million Australians voted for an independent, helping 8 pro-climate independents retain their seats. The Teal Independents' victory sends a strong message to the major parties that climate change is a critical issue for the Australian public.
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Climate Analytics: analysed the global warming implications of the 2030 climate targets of the various parties
Climate Analytics has analysed the global warming implications of the 2030 climate targets of the following parties: the Liberal National Coalition (LNP), the Labor Party (ALP), the Teal Independents (the Zali Steggall Bill), and the Greens.
The analysis found that the LNP's targets are consistent with 3°C of global warming, bordering on 4°C. This means that if all governments were to adopt the same targets as the LNP, the world would experience global warming of at least 3°C, leading to the total destruction of the Great Barrier Reef and other tropical reefs. The ALP's target is consistent with 2°C of warming, while the Teal Independents and the Greens are consistent with 1.5°C of warming.
To limit warming to 1.5°C, the Greens have proposed a 74% cut in emissions by 2030, which is considered the most ambitious and science-aligned target. The Teal Independents' target of a 60% emissions cut by 2030 is consistent with 1.5°C of warming but is at the upper end of the emission pathways outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Climate Analytics' analysis underscores the urgency of policies to cut emissions and the disconnect between the reality of climate change and the insufficient reductions proposed by some parties. The combined global effect of government action on climate change has flat-lined in recent years, highlighting the need for more ambitious targets and policies to align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
The Greens have also pledged to end new coal and gas projects, end fossil fuel subsidies, and invest in nature and biodiversity restoration, making them the only major party with seats in parliament committed to science-aligned climate targets.
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Frequently asked questions
No Australian political party supports climate change. However, the Liberal-National Coalition has been accused of inaction on the climate crisis, voting against measures to cut climate pollution and refusing to commit to building more renewable energy.
The Greens are the only major political party with seats in the current parliament that supports science-aligned targets to reduce climate pollution and an end to new and expanded coal and gas projects. The Labor Party has also made inroads in its last term of office on the regulatory and policy framework that could guide Australia's transition to a green economy.
The Greens have advocated for science-aligned reductions to climate pollution, acknowledging the need to reach net zero by 2035 or sooner. They have pledged to stop new coal and gas projects and end fossil fuel subsidies, instead paying homes and businesses to install solar and batteries. They have also pledged to spend 1% of the budget on nature and $20 billion on biodiversity restoration over the next decade.
The Labor Party has made progress on the transition to a green economy during its last term in office, introducing new laws for corporations to disclose their climate risk and actions, strengthening the regulation of Australia's biggest polluters, and introducing emissions standards for cars. However, they have faced criticism for approving new coal mines and expansions and pledging support for new gas projects.
