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The UN’s climate chief has urged Australia to take more ambitious climate action, as debate over the country’s emissions reduction targets heats up in parliament.<\/p>\n
“Bog standard is beneath you,” Simon Stiell told the country, arguing “colossal” economic rewards could be reaped by aiming higher. <\/p>\n
Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030, but remains one of the world’s biggest polluters per capita and faces criticism for continuing to rely on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n
Mr Stiell’s comments came as a bill to overturn the nation’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 was moved by an opposition MP in parliament, and the Labor government considers a new reduction target for the next decade – 2035. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Speaking at an event hosted by independent industry body the Smart Energy Council, Mr Stiell called the fresh 2035 target – due to be announced in September – a “defining moment” for Australia.<\/p>\n
Setting these targets, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), is part of the country’s obligation under the Paris Climate Agreement. <\/p>\n
The 2015 pledge saw world leaders agree to keep global temperatures from rising 1.5C above those of the late 19th Century.<\/p>\n
“Go for what’s smart by going big,” Mr Stiell said, warning that a failure to do so risks eroding regional stability and living standards.<\/p>\n
“Consider the alternative: missing the opportunity and letting the world overheat,” he added.<\/p>\n
Just a few hours earlier, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce – who is known for his climate change skepticism – introduced legislation to wind back the country’s current net zero goals, arguing that it would have “absolutely no effect on the climate whatsoever”.<\/p>\n
Australia has in recent years grappled with successive natural disasters, and climate experts warn that the country – along with the rest of the globe – face<\/a>s a future full of similar crises unless dramatic cuts to emissions are achieved<\/a>.<\/p>\n Joyce’s bill is all but doomed to fail, as the Labor government has a large majority in the House of Representatives and members of the National MP’s own party disagree with him.<\/p>\n But it is likely to increase pressure on the coalition – made up of the Liberal and National parties – as they reassess their climate and energy policies following a bruising election defeat in May<\/a>.<\/p>\n Climate change has been a huge theme of the past few elections in Australia.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to power in 2022, promising to take greater action, but his Labor government has been criticised for its continued support of coal and gas projects.<\/p>\n The country is currently seeking to co-host the UN’s COP31 climate summit with the Pacific next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n