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Australia's national emissions targets revisited

Written by Matthew Thompson

 

 

A coordinated response to climate change

 

Climate change poses an immense global challenge, characterised by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and agricultural disruptions, all of which threaten food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

 

 

Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated international response, with the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) serving as the supreme decision-making body for climate action.

 

 

COP meetings bring nations together to negotiate and agree upon strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change impacts, and mobilising financial resources. This global cooperation aims to navigate the complex climate landscape and seek solutions that safeguard the planet while promoting sustainable development.

 

 

As we approach the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP28), this article provides an updated assessment of Australia and New Zealand’s efforts in mitigating climate change from a national level. You can find our 2021 assessment here.

 

 

For an updated assessment from an Australian jurisdictional level, please see our article Australia’s Jurisdictional Emission Targets Revisited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Australia doing?

 

Passing an Act of commitment and accountability

Australia solidified its commitment to climate action by passing the Climate Change Act 2022. This legislation mandates a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030, with a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The Act also establishes a framework for accountability via annual climate change statements to be provided in Parliament and advisory roles for the Climate Change Authority, thereby ensuring a structured approach towards meeting these targets.

 

 

Additionally, the legislation incorporated the emissions reduction targets and the Paris Agreement into the objectives and functions of various agencies and government departments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Implementing strategies to reach the emission reduction goal

Australia is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the  Paris Agreement, committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, tracking progress towards those commitments, and annually reporting on Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

To achieve the emissions reduction goal, and adhere to the requirements of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, Australia has developed many strategies, including:

 

 

Additional emissions reduction strategies that Australia has implemented include carbon capture, use, and storage, regulation of Australian fuel quality, the development of a First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee, and reviews of Australian carbon credit units and Australia’s carbon leakage.

 

 

See Australia’s emission estimates by state and territory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What about New Zealand?

 

Amending law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and biogenic methane emissions

New Zealand’s emissions reduction target of reaching net zero by 2050 was legislated in November 2019 with the commencement of the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act, which amended the Climate Change Response Act 2002.

 

 

These amendments established domestic targets into law including:

  • Reducing net emissions of all greenhouse gasses other than biogenic methane to zero by 2050
  • Reducing the emissions of biogenic methane by 24% to 47% below 2017 levels by 2050, including a 10% reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2030.

 

 

Under the Act, there are several regulations and orders that cover a wide range of technical regulations, including general exemptions, fishing allocation plans, eligible industrial activities, removal activities, stationary energy and industrial processes, synthetic greenhouse gas levies, unique emissions factors, unit register, waste, forestry, and fossil fuels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning for a cleaner future for all resource sectors

New Zealand is also taking several other actions to achieve net zero emissions, through:

 

 

See how New Zealand is tracking with emissions reductions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snapshot of Australia and New Zealand’s emission reduction and renewable energy targets

 

 

Country Achieve net zero Reduction targets Renewable energy targets More information
Australia 2050 43% reduction by 2030 (based on 2005 levels) 82% by 2030 Emissions Reduction in Australia
New Zealand 2050 (other than biogenic methane) 50% reduction by 2030 (based on 2005 levels)

In relation to biogenic methane emissions: 10% reduction by 2030, 24-47% reduction by 2050 (based on 2017 biogenic methane emissions)

 50% by 2035
100% by 2030 (aspirational)		 NZ Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets and Reporting

 

Download a PDF version of this snapshot here.

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

As the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP28) approaches, Australia and New Zealand have taken notable steps to mitigate climate change. Both countries have committed to ambitious emissions reduction targets, invested in renewable energy, and prioritised climate adaptation.

 

 

These efforts demonstrate a growing recognition of the urgent need for global action to combat climate change. While challenges remain, the international community looks to COP28 as an opportunity for further collaboration and progress towards a sustainable future.

 

 

 

 

References

 

Australia

 

New Zealand