The target does not align with the science, and can only be met by phasing out fossil fuels - which they won't commit to.
Thu 18 Sep 2025 15.00
Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi
The Federal Government has today announced its long-awaited climate target, promising to cut emissions by 62 to 70 per cent by 2035.
The target falls short of the 75 per cent target below 2005 levels, which would have broadly aligned with the science.
The announcement comes about a week after approving an extension of one of the largest fossil fuel export projects in the world, the North West Shelf.
Days after that decision, the climate risk assessment was released, revealing deaths caused by heatwaves will soar by more than 400% in places like Sydney and Darwin.
Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute, described the target as a “missed opportunity”.
“In order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, global emissions must at least halve by 2030,” said Dr Denniss said.
“A cut of at least 75 per cent cut by 2035 is what was required and it’s a missed opportunity for the government to show it is serious about climate change.”
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Dr Denniss pointed out there are fast ways the government can meet targets faster.
Analysis of Australia’s emissions inventory combined with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that the process of extracting and shipping all the coal and gas Australia exports is responsible for close to 18 per cent of Australia’s total emissions.
“That means that if Australia did not export such huge quantities of coal and gas, then the emissions target could be met a lot faster,” Dr Denniss said.
“Australia exports over 10 times more gas than is used by Australia’s entire manufacturing industry.”
Pacific leaders have already warned Australia the decision to extend the North West Shelf extension could breach a landmark International Court of Justice ruling on the responsibility states have to address climate change.
“In a short period of time, we have seen the government extend the North West Shelf, release the grim climate risk report, and announce a non-ambitious climate target,” Dr Denniss said.
“The government can’t have it all ways, and if it is serious about meeting climate targets, it will stop exporting coal and gas.”
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This week, the Prime Minister announced $1.1bn in funding for the Kwinana Westport container terminal proposal. But while this project has long been argued by Western Australian governments as necessary, it relies on assumptions that have not materialised and would result in billions of dollars committed to an unecessary project rather than to the urgent and visible crises in housing, healthcare, and education infrastructure.
At the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, conversations are circling back to first principles — what the science says, and what it would mean to act accordingly.
