Australia Expected to Miss 2030, 2035 Climate Goals
Delivering his annual climate address to parliament, Bowen noted it was typical "for there to be a gap between projected emissions and a target 10 years in the future," an Australian broadcasting agency reported.
"As new policies are developed and implemented, the emissions outlook improves. That's what a target is for -- to drive new initiatives and work," Bowen stated.
The Environment Department projects Australia will achieve a 42% emissions reduction by 2030, missing the legislated target by just 1%.
The nation's 2035 outlook proves far more troubling. Australia aims to slash emissions by 62-70% over the decade but current trajectories predict only a 48% reduction.
Despite these concerning forecasts, Australia remains on course to fulfill its international commitments for the current decade, staying within the cumulative carbon budget established by the Paris Agreement.
Thursday's figures show Australia has reduced emissions by 28.5% since 2005.
"While the 2035 target is ambitious and achievable, it is not yet being achieved," Bowen said, emphasizing that climate change demands action.
"We cannot ignore it. And we can't give up and say it's all too hard," he added.
Greens leader Larissa Waters criticized the government for remaining "nowhere near" its climate objectives.
"These are diabolical pollution numbers that suggest we are on track for cataclysmic climate change," Waters declared.
The Conservative Liberal–National Coalition recently officially abandoned its net-zero emissions commitment for 2050, claiming the goal has contributed to escalating electricity costs.
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