The Climate Change Authority has published the advice and 42 recommendations it provided to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy on 27 October. The authority’s advice is a key input to the government’s Annual Climate Change Statement and is required under the Climate Change Act 2022.
The authority’s second Annual Progress Report finds the Australian Government is pursuing a broad and deep climate change policy agenda, but this has yet to translate into the emissions reductions needed. Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions were 467 million tonnes in the year ending June 2023, an increase of four million tonnes. To achieve a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared with 2005 levels, and net zero emissions by 2050, Australia will need to decarbonise at an average annual rate of 17 million tonnes.
The authority’s 42 recommendations focus on decarbonising each sector of the economy and supporting Australia becoming a prosperous, resilient, net zero economy. Many recommendations call on the Australian government and states and territories to work more cooperatively to achieve policy objectives to meet the legislated 2030 target. While governments hold the policy levers to guide businesses and individuals to choices that support Australia’s climate change goals, the necessary changes go beyond the reach of any government acting alone.
Successful policy implementation will be crucial for achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets.
The authority’s Media Release can be found here: [PDF] [WORD]
The Annual Progress Report 2023 can be found here.