Australia Sets New Climate Target In Landmark Bill
Tharushi Fernando
September 8, 2022
Australia passed legislation to cut down carbon emissions by 43% in 2030 The country is one of the world’s biggest emitters per capita, and the target brings it more in line with other developed countries.
But critics say government plans to reach the target are lacking detail.
Some have been demanding a higher goal as well as a ban on new fossil fuel projects in the country.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had lauded the new law – the Climate Change Bill – as an end to a decade of climate policy inaction. It marks the first significant action against climate change since the party took power in May.
The Labor government’s climate bill cleared the Senate by 37 votes to 30 after accepting minor amendments by independent David Pocock.
Climate change minister, Chris Bowen, told parliament “today is a good day for our parliament and our country, and we’re going to need many more of them”.
The former government had angered allies with its short-term emissions reductions target – which was about half what the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says is needed if the world has any chance of limiting warming to 1.5C.
But there is strong support within the parliament for greater action on climate change.
Many independents campaigned on the issue of climate change, and wanted a 2030 target of at least 50%.
FAQs