News

Delaying the overhaul of Australia’s grid risks adding at least 2 billion tonnes of emissions 

New analysis shows pursuing the deployment of nuclear in Australia’s grid could add at least 2 billion tonnes to national emissions, on a global path that is consistent with 2.6°C of warming.

The Climate Change Authority has compared published modelling by the Australian Energy Market Operator and Frontier Economics to understand how a nuclear pathway could impact national efforts to reduce emissions.

The analysis finds that a nuclear pathway could see Australia miss the legislated 43% emissions reduction target for 2030 by five percentage points, and still not achieve this level of reduction by 2035.  

Australia would not reach 82% zero emissions electricity until 2042 – more than a decade later than current national plans.  

“Prioritising nuclear at this time would be inconsistent with Australia’s national emissions reduction priorities and commitments,” Climate Change Authority Chair Matt Kean said.   

This new analysis builds on previous work by the Climate Change Authority on nuclear energy, including through the 2024 Sector Pathways Review and its initial submission to House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy. This analysis will be provided to the Committee as a supplementary submission.  

Read the full media release

Download Assessing the impact of a nuclear pathway on Australia’s emissions

Media inquiries 

Laura Downey: 
P: 0427 827 928
E: laura@89degreeseast.com

Emissions need to fall further, faster

Australia has made important progress in delivering new policies to reduce emissions, increasing the likelihood of meeting the nation’s 2030 target. But there is still work to do to accelerate the roll-out of renewables and get emissions clearly trending down in every sector, according to the Climate Change Authority’s 2024 Annual Progress Report.

The authority’s independent assessment of Australia’s progress on cutting emissions is a key input to Minister Bowen’s Annual Climate Change Statement, delivered in Federal Parliament today.

Read the full media release

Download the 2024 Annual Progress Report

See the updated Climate Policy Tracker

Media inquiries 

Laura Downey: 
P: 0427 827 928
E: laura@89degreeseast.com

Australia’s Climate Change Authority joined other members of the International Climate Council Network (ICCN) to call on countries(Opens in a new tab/window) to deliver evidence-based climate policy advice and support more countries to establish climate councils.

The ICCN provides expert advice and assessments to guide government action to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The advice provided by these councils must be evidence-based, independent, impartial, consider fairness and build consensus.

As a founding member of the ICCN in 2021, the Climate Change Authority (the authority) has been involved in the network since its inception. The ICCN now has members from 24 countries across 6 continents, adding 3 new members – Ukraine, Nigeria and the Netherlands – at COP29. 

To help amplify the vital role of independent climate councils in advising governments, the authority hosted the formal launch of a policy toolkit for climate councils at COP29 in the Australia pavilion. The toolkit is intended to help countries establish councils, for example by providing examples of governance and processes used by existing councils. It is also intended to grow the impact of existing councils through knowledge sharing and relationship building. The toolkit will be available online in 2025. The authority contributed to the development of the toolkit and will continue to do so in 2025. 

The launch of the toolkit was followed by a networking event for existing and new members to share learnings. As recognised by the authority’s Chair Matt Kean, ‘the innovation and lessons learned in one country can become the spark for new action in another.’ 

For more information about the ICCN please visit www.climatecouncils.org/members/(Opens in a new tab/window) 

The Climate Change Authority has today released its review of the potential technology transition and emissions pathways for the Australian Government to reach net zero emissions by 2050. 

The review considers the pathways for six sectors – agriculture and land; built environment; electricity and energy; industry and waste; transport and resources – to decarbonise. It identifies barriers and proposes strategies and actions to address them. 

Requested by the Australian Parliament, the review will inform the Australian Government’s Net Zero Plan which will lay out and extend Australia’s action on climate change.  

“The authority has charted a course for how Australia can decarbonise by 2050,” said Matt Kean, chair of the authority. 

“Good progress is being made on decarbonising the energy sector and rolling out firmed renewables. But to achieve a rapid and orderly transition to net zero, all sectors of the economy, along with all levels of government, must plan and act together.  

“By overcoming the barriers to reducing emissions we can make the Australian economy more prosperous while creating new industries and jobs, improving our energy security, protecting the environment, and reducing the cost of living.”  

The authority’s review found there are many pathways to achieving emissions reductions with existing, mature technologies, such as solar and wind for electricity generation and batteries for energy storage getting Australia much of the way to net zero. Opportunities also exist with the rapid development of emerging low emissions technologies, such as hydrogen and engineered carbon removals. 

Mr. Kean said developers of renewables projects need to engage with regional communities about infrastructure’s role in the energy transition, and better explain the sharing of benefits from the rollout.  

The authority’s review proposes six strategies that can be incorporated in the Net Zero Plan for addressing the challenges and enabling Australia’s transition to a prosperous, net zero economy. 

Suggested actions for the Australian Government include working with local, state and territory governments, businesses, communities and households to build on existing climate change policies, reform development approval processes and address mounting workforce shortages.  

Mr. Kean said technology uptake, investment and cooperation were critical success factors.  
“We need to seize this once in a generation opportunity to ensure Australia’s rapid and orderly transition as the world transforms to avert the worst impacts of climate change. 

“This requires a major reorganisation of supply chains, production systems, industrial zones, energy sources, public and private finance, infrastructure and workforces,” Mr. Kean said. 
 
Download the full media release PDF.

Read more on the Sector Pathways Review including the full report here.

Media inquiries: 
E: commsandmedia@climatechangeauthority.gov.au 
P: 1800 475 869

The Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP and Climate Change and Energy Minister the Hon Chris Bowen MP announced that the government will appoint the Hon Matt Kean as the new Chair of the Climate Change Authority, following the resignation of Mr. Grant King which will take effect in August. 

Mr. Kean was the Treasurer of New South Wales in the NSW Government between October 2021 and March 2023 and the Minister for Energy and Environment between April 2019 and March 2023. The Prime Minister observed that Mr. Kean is uniquely qualified to lead the Climate Change Authority and understands the opportunity that the transition to clean energy represents for Australia.

The government also announced Ms. Patty Akopiantz will be appointed to fill the vacancy left by Ms. Sam Mostyn who will soon be taking up her appointment as Australia’s next Governor General. Ms. Akopiantz is a non-executive director of KPMG, a director of Assembly Climate Capital and a graduate of the Harvard Business School. 

The authority congratulates Mr. King on his new appointment as Chair of Transgrid and looks forward to welcoming Mr. King and Ms. Akopiantz in coming months. Mr. King will remain as Chair of the authority until 5 August, after the delivery of the Sector Pathways Review on 1 August.

Read the Prime Minister's media release(Opens in a new tab/window).

Today our CEO, Brad Archer, is attending the Committee for Economic Development of Australia’s (CEDA) second annual Climate and Energy Forum in Brisbane. Mr Archer participated in a panel discussion at the event, discussing how we can deliver a fair and prosperous net zero future for Australia. 

Mr Archer also recently contributed an opinion article for CEDA(Opens in a new tab/window).

Mr Archer wrote, ‘Accelerating the rollout of proven, cost-effective solutions across the economy is fundamental to meeting the 2030 target and laying the foundations to achieve future, more ambitious targets.

‘The challenges we face also include collectively embracing, planning for and implementing change as a society, and identifying and pursuing new opportunities and new ways of doing things. As we note in our recent consultation paper, planning the pathways and sharing the benefits and burdens will be essential to achieving an orderly and just transition.

‘With a clear strategy, sustained focus and real cooperation, Australia can meet its targets and prosper in a low-emissions world.’ 

Learn more about CEDA’s Climate and Energy Forum(Opens in a new tab/window).

The Climate Change Authority is inviting Australians to have their say on 2035 emissions reduction targets to be included in Australia’s new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. 

The authority has today released an issues paper entitled Targets, Pathways and Progress, presenting its latest thinking on its three major projects. 

This year the authority will be advising government on Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction targets, pathways for 6 sectors to support Australia achieve net zero by 2050 (electricity and energy, transport, industry and waste, agriculture and land, resources and the built environment), and the Minister’s third Annual Climate Change Statement to Parliament. 

“The evidence we have considered so far suggests a 2035 emissions reduction target in the range of 65% to 75% below 2005 levels would be ambitious, and could be achievable if additional action is taken by governments, business, investors and households,” said Brad Archer, CEO of the authority. 

“In developing our advice we are looking at the latest science, economic data, technological developments, and the opportunities and impacts for Australians, including First Nations peoples and those in rural and regional areas” Mr Archer said. 

“To assist the authority finalise its recommendations to the government, we invite Australians to respond to the 14 questions detailed in the issues paper. 

“We also want to hear personal perspectives and experiences with climate change, and suggestions about how Australian governments can support the wellbeing of workers, communities and regions as the nation decarbonises,” Mr Archer said. 

The authority will provide its advice on sectoral pathways by 1 August, and on Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction targets, as well as its third annual progress report, to the government later this year. 

Submissions can be made via the authority’s Consultation Hub(Opens in a new tab/window) until 17:00 AEST on 14 May 2024.

The following related information is available on the authority’s website:

Sectoral Pathways Project

2035 Emissions reduction targets

CCA Glossary

Media inquiries:
E: commsandmedia@climatechangeauthority.gov.au 
P: 1800 475 869

The Climate Change Authority is pleased to launch its second Reconciliation Action Plan.

The authority’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2025 sets out measurable and achievable actions that the authority will take over the next twelve months to contribute to national reconciliation.

The authority considers that Australia serves to benefit from becoming a more inclusive society, one in which institutions, communities and individuals are encouraged to celebrate the unique and important contributions that have been made and continue to be made by its First Nations peoples.

We are focused on the role that reconciliation can play in developing meaningful mitigation and adaptation policies in response to a changing climate.

Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan February 2024-2025 [PDF]  

Reconciliation Action Plan

Cover artwork: Natalie L. Simmons

Today, the Climate Change Authority published public submissions made in response to the consultation paper: Economic modelling of Australia’s potential emissions reduction pathways(Opens in a new tab/window) and the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Survey(Opens in a new tab/window).

The authority received submissions in response to its modelling consultation paper from 22 organisations and individuals across Australia, 19 of which agreed to publication.

The NGER scheme survey attracted 69 responses from a range of organisations and individuals, 21 of which agreed to publication.

The authority analysed all input received through these consultation activities. Analysis of responses to the NGER scheme survey contributed to the development of the authority’s 2023 NGER Act Review.

The authority will continue to take account of stakeholder feedback in formulating the authority’s approach to modelling. The feedback received through this process will inform the authority’s advice on sectoral pathways to net zero and Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction targets.

The authority thanks everyone who provided input. These contributions improve the quality of the authority’s analysis and provide evidence to help inform the authority’s recommendations.

Submissions can be viewed and downloaded below:

• Economic modelling of Australia’s potential emissions reduction pathways(Opens in a new tab/window)
• NGER Scheme Survey(Opens in a new tab/window)

To receive updates about the Climate Change Authority's work, upcoming consultation opportunities and climate change news, you can subscribe here(Opens in a new tab/window). 

2023 Reviews of Climate Schemes

Climate change schemes need to evolve to remain fit-for-purpose in a rapidly changing emissions and abatement landscape. The Climate Change Authority has recommended changes to improve the operation and transparency of key schemes for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and crediting emissions reductions.

In its latest reviews, the authority says the targeted changes are required to ensure the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007 and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, including the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, remain fit-for-purpose as Australia aims to meet its 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets.  

The NGER Scheme, which is used to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions and energy production and use, continues to be integral to meeting Australia’s international energy and emissions reporting obligations, tracking progress on emissions reductions and informing climate change policy development. However, the authority has found there is demand for more detailed emissions and energy data, the potential to improve the accuracy of some emissions estimates and the opportunity to broaden the coverage of the scheme.

The ACCU Scheme credits projects that avoid the release of emissions or remove and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. While ambitious and urgent cuts to emissions are the priority, the Scheme can help smooth and accelerate the transition to net zero emissions.

To ensure that the ACCU Scheme continues to credit real and additional abatement, the authority recommends abatement calculation methods be reviewed and updated to keep pace with developments in science, technology, government policies and markets.

It is the first time the authority’s reviews of the ACCU and NGER schemes have coincided. They form a timely prelude to the authority’s forthcoming advice to government on sectoral pathways to net zero emissions and Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction targets, due for completion in 2024.

Media release     

2023 NGER Review

2023 ACCU Scheme Review