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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
UN urges Australia to lead world with climate goal
The United Nations is ramping up pressure on Australia to pursue a more ambitious emissions reduction target, but the climate change minister insists a new goal must be "in the national interest". UN executive secretary Simon Stiell has urged Australia to do more and cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035, following a meeting with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The federal government is targeting a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. While Mr Bowen maintains Australia is on track to meet this and its clean energy goal, it is yet to release its 2035 target as required by the UN in coming months. A more challenging target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035 is being considered by the Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government. But Mr Bowen stressed the government was already making significant efforts to decarbonise and create economic opportunity. "Targets are easier set than met - we will set a target informed by the expert advice in the national interest," he said on Tuesday. During the discussion, Mr Stiell said it was a privilege to be visiting a nation with the "smarts and the opportunity to lead and to reap colossal rewards". He earlier maintained Australia must also tackle exported carbon emissions as part of a global push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Environmental groups have echoed the calls. Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy manager Gavan McFadzean noted Australia was the number two exporter of emissions in the world, pointing to the excavation of coal and gas as a major source of domestic emissions. Setting an ambitious target has also been positioned as a moral test for the Labor government. "Anything less than 75 per cent will be viewed as a crime against future generations," independent senator David Pocock told reporters in Canberra. The opposition says the government hasn't worked through all the factors that go into reaching net-zero. "You actually have to demonstrate that you've got a full understanding of what is required," opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan told reporters. The coalition is yet to announce its climate plan as a sweeping post-election review of its entire policy suite continues. But its support for a net-zero emissions target is being challenged by Nationals backbenchers, including Barnaby Joyce, Michael McCormack and Matt Canavan. Senator Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic on Monday joined their One Nation colleagues to vote for the minor party's motion in the upper house to scrap net-zero. But only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion after a text sent to a Liberal group chat said there was "no need to attend" the chamber for the vote. Mr Bowen is poised to announce a 25 per cent expansion of Australia's Capacity Investment Scheme, which provides a guaranteed revenue floor for renewable generation and storage projects. That means an extra three gigawatts of guaranteed generation - enough to power more than one million households - and a further five gigawatts of dispatchable capacity or storage, equivalent to supplying 4.6 million households with energy at peak times. The scheme has unlocked record investment in Australia's energy grid in its three years of operation and has put Australia on track to reach its target of 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, Mr Bowen will say. It has proved a hit with investors, with all six tenders massively oversubscribed - the most recent tender for dispatchable capacity, such as batteries and hydroelectricity, received 135GWh of bids compared to the 16GWh target. The United Nations is ramping up pressure on Australia to pursue a more ambitious emissions reduction target, but the climate change minister insists a new goal must be "in the national interest". UN executive secretary Simon Stiell has urged Australia to do more and cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035, following a meeting with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The federal government is targeting a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. While Mr Bowen maintains Australia is on track to meet this and its clean energy goal, it is yet to release its 2035 target as required by the UN in coming months. A more challenging target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035 is being considered by the Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government. But Mr Bowen stressed the government was already making significant efforts to decarbonise and create economic opportunity. "Targets are easier set than met - we will set a target informed by the expert advice in the national interest," he said on Tuesday. During the discussion, Mr Stiell said it was a privilege to be visiting a nation with the "smarts and the opportunity to lead and to reap colossal rewards". He earlier maintained Australia must also tackle exported carbon emissions as part of a global push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Environmental groups have echoed the calls. Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy manager Gavan McFadzean noted Australia was the number two exporter of emissions in the world, pointing to the excavation of coal and gas as a major source of domestic emissions. Setting an ambitious target has also been positioned as a moral test for the Labor government. "Anything less than 75 per cent will be viewed as a crime against future generations," independent senator David Pocock told reporters in Canberra. The opposition says the government hasn't worked through all the factors that go into reaching net-zero. "You actually have to demonstrate that you've got a full understanding of what is required," opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan told reporters. The coalition is yet to announce its climate plan as a sweeping post-election review of its entire policy suite continues. But its support for a net-zero emissions target is being challenged by Nationals backbenchers, including Barnaby Joyce, Michael McCormack and Matt Canavan. Senator Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic on Monday joined their One Nation colleagues to vote for the minor party's motion in the upper house to scrap net-zero. But only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion after a text sent to a Liberal group chat said there was "no need to attend" the chamber for the vote. Mr Bowen is poised to announce a 25 per cent expansion of Australia's Capacity Investment Scheme, which provides a guaranteed revenue floor for renewable generation and storage projects. That means an extra three gigawatts of guaranteed generation - enough to power more than one million households - and a further five gigawatts of dispatchable capacity or storage, equivalent to supplying 4.6 million households with energy at peak times. The scheme has unlocked record investment in Australia's energy grid in its three years of operation and has put Australia on track to reach its target of 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, Mr Bowen will say. It has proved a hit with investors, with all six tenders massively oversubscribed - the most recent tender for dispatchable capacity, such as batteries and hydroelectricity, received 135GWh of bids compared to the 16GWh target. The United Nations is ramping up pressure on Australia to pursue a more ambitious emissions reduction target, but the climate change minister insists a new goal must be "in the national interest". UN executive secretary Simon Stiell has urged Australia to do more and cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035, following a meeting with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The federal government is targeting a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. While Mr Bowen maintains Australia is on track to meet this and its clean energy goal, it is yet to release its 2035 target as required by the UN in coming months. A more challenging target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035 is being considered by the Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government. But Mr Bowen stressed the government was already making significant efforts to decarbonise and create economic opportunity. "Targets are easier set than met - we will set a target informed by the expert advice in the national interest," he said on Tuesday. During the discussion, Mr Stiell said it was a privilege to be visiting a nation with the "smarts and the opportunity to lead and to reap colossal rewards". He earlier maintained Australia must also tackle exported carbon emissions as part of a global push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Environmental groups have echoed the calls. Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy manager Gavan McFadzean noted Australia was the number two exporter of emissions in the world, pointing to the excavation of coal and gas as a major source of domestic emissions. Setting an ambitious target has also been positioned as a moral test for the Labor government. "Anything less than 75 per cent will be viewed as a crime against future generations," independent senator David Pocock told reporters in Canberra. The opposition says the government hasn't worked through all the factors that go into reaching net-zero. "You actually have to demonstrate that you've got a full understanding of what is required," opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan told reporters. The coalition is yet to announce its climate plan as a sweeping post-election review of its entire policy suite continues. But its support for a net-zero emissions target is being challenged by Nationals backbenchers, including Barnaby Joyce, Michael McCormack and Matt Canavan. Senator Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic on Monday joined their One Nation colleagues to vote for the minor party's motion in the upper house to scrap net-zero. But only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion after a text sent to a Liberal group chat said there was "no need to attend" the chamber for the vote. Mr Bowen is poised to announce a 25 per cent expansion of Australia's Capacity Investment Scheme, which provides a guaranteed revenue floor for renewable generation and storage projects. That means an extra three gigawatts of guaranteed generation - enough to power more than one million households - and a further five gigawatts of dispatchable capacity or storage, equivalent to supplying 4.6 million households with energy at peak times. The scheme has unlocked record investment in Australia's energy grid in its three years of operation and has put Australia on track to reach its target of 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, Mr Bowen will say. It has proved a hit with investors, with all six tenders massively oversubscribed - the most recent tender for dispatchable capacity, such as batteries and hydroelectricity, received 135GWh of bids compared to the 16GWh target. The United Nations is ramping up pressure on Australia to pursue a more ambitious emissions reduction target, but the climate change minister insists a new goal must be "in the national interest". UN executive secretary Simon Stiell has urged Australia to do more and cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035, following a meeting with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The federal government is targeting a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. While Mr Bowen maintains Australia is on track to meet this and its clean energy goal, it is yet to release its 2035 target as required by the UN in coming months. A more challenging target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035 is being considered by the Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government. But Mr Bowen stressed the government was already making significant efforts to decarbonise and create economic opportunity. "Targets are easier set than met - we will set a target informed by the expert advice in the national interest," he said on Tuesday. During the discussion, Mr Stiell said it was a privilege to be visiting a nation with the "smarts and the opportunity to lead and to reap colossal rewards". He earlier maintained Australia must also tackle exported carbon emissions as part of a global push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Environmental groups have echoed the calls. Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy manager Gavan McFadzean noted Australia was the number two exporter of emissions in the world, pointing to the excavation of coal and gas as a major source of domestic emissions. Setting an ambitious target has also been positioned as a moral test for the Labor government. "Anything less than 75 per cent will be viewed as a crime against future generations," independent senator David Pocock told reporters in Canberra. The opposition says the government hasn't worked through all the factors that go into reaching net-zero. "You actually have to demonstrate that you've got a full understanding of what is required," opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan told reporters. The coalition is yet to announce its climate plan as a sweeping post-election review of its entire policy suite continues. But its support for a net-zero emissions target is being challenged by Nationals backbenchers, including Barnaby Joyce, Michael McCormack and Matt Canavan. Senator Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic on Monday joined their One Nation colleagues to vote for the minor party's motion in the upper house to scrap net-zero. But only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion after a text sent to a Liberal group chat said there was "no need to attend" the chamber for the vote. Mr Bowen is poised to announce a 25 per cent expansion of Australia's Capacity Investment Scheme, which provides a guaranteed revenue floor for renewable generation and storage projects. That means an extra three gigawatts of guaranteed generation - enough to power more than one million households - and a further five gigawatts of dispatchable capacity or storage, equivalent to supplying 4.6 million households with energy at peak times. The scheme has unlocked record investment in Australia's energy grid in its three years of operation and has put Australia on track to reach its target of 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, Mr Bowen will say. It has proved a hit with investors, with all six tenders massively oversubscribed - the most recent tender for dispatchable capacity, such as batteries and hydroelectricity, received 135GWh of bids compared to the 16GWh target.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
UN climate boss warns of 'mega-droughts' in dire climate forecast for Australia
Australians have been warned that fruit and vegetables may become a 'once-a-year treat' if the country fails to drastically lift its clean energy ambitions. In a stark message delivered in Sydney on Monday, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said Australia faced a future of 'mega-droughts', plummeting living standards and eye-watering economic losses if it does not go much further on emissions cuts. 'Mega-droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell said during an address hosted by the Smart Energy Council, per The Australian. His speech landed during a critical moment in Australia's climate debate, with the Albanese government preparing to reveal its updated 2035 emissions target and push to co-host the next UN climate summit, COP31, alongside Pacific nations. But as momentum builds internationally, domestic political opposition is also ramping up, chiefly led by Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, who introduced a Private Member's bill this week to repeal Australia's net-zero commitment. Mr Stiell, who meets with Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen in Canberra today, said setting an ambitious target wasn't just about the environment, but rather economic survival. 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer,' he warned. 'Living standards could drop by over $7000 per person per year. And rising seas, resource pressures, and extreme weather would destabilise Australia's neighbourhood – from Pacific Island nations to Southeast Asia – threatening your security.' Australia's current pledge is to cut emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. The Climate Change Authority (CCA) is reportedly weighing up whether to recommend a more aggressive target of 65 to 75 per cent by 2035. That advice is due by the end of this month. Mr Stiell claimed that anything less would fall short. 'Bog standard is beneath you,' he said. 'The question is: how far are you willing to go?' That decision must be made by September, when Australia is due to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contributions to the UN. It will come amid a wave of climate diplomacy for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is expected to use a series of major international forums to press Australia's case to host COP31. Mr Stiell's warning was not just directed at the Albanese Government. It also served as a harsh jab at the growing campaign by Coalition backbenchers and conservative commentators arguing Australia's energy transition will hurt the economy and disadvantage regional communities. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce on Monday accused inner-city Australians of pushing policies that harm the disadvantaged, saying: 'Are you prepared to hurt the poor?' Mr Joyce's 'Repeal Net Zero' bill, backed by several Coalition rebels, proposes scrapping Australia's carbon-neutral target by 2050, a goal in line with most other developed nations. 'There's absolutely no reason that Mascot Airport can't work 24/7,' he told reporters. 'But we understand that people don't want planes flying over themselves in the middle of the night … but we don't want transmission lines over our head either. We don't want wind towers either, so there's got to be a form of quid pro quo.' His argument suggests city-dwellers are demanding action on climate change without shouldering its costs, leaving regional communities to deal with some sort of flow-on infrastructure burden. 'You don't feel virtuous if you're hurting people,' Mr Joyce said. While the bill is unlikely to pass without support from Liberal moderates, Mr Joyce's position is influential within the Nationals and perhaps reflects a growing pushback on climate policy from prominent sections of the Coalition. Joining him outside Parliament House were fellow Nationals Michael McCormack and Liberal MP Garth Hamilton, the only member of the senior Coalition partner to back the bill publicly. Mr Stiell responded to the political noise over the past fortnight with a message of economic pragmatism and global responsibility. 'I think Australians get it. From cabinet rooms to boardrooms, from farms to factories to kitchen tables, you know unchecked climate change is an economic wrecking ball,' he said. 'You know half-measures will destroy property and infrastructure, hammer households, bankrupt regions, and punch holes in public budgets. And you know that real action opens the door to real leadership – and big rewards for this ambitious, capable country.' He warned Australians against short-term thinking and urged them to embrace a rapid energy transition. 'The change is working,' he said. 'Now consider the alternative: missing the opportunity and letting the world overheat. Go for what's smart by going big. Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security. Go for what will change the game – and stand the test of time. Go for it.'
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Courier-Mail
UN chief's dire warning over Australia's climate inaction
Don't miss out on the headlines from Climate Change. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia faces 'mega droughts' that will make 'fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat' if it does not rapidly ramp up efforts to take the country's grid green, the UN's climate chief has warned ahead of talks in Canberra. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's main climate body, will on Tuesday meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, with Australia's bid to host COP31 next year among the key discussion points. Hosting the climate conference would mark a significant turnaround for Australia, reflective of the Albanese government's efforts to position the country as a regional leader in the renewables transition. Australia's net zero by 2050 target was central to the Albanese government's youth-focused re-election pitch, with Labor vowing to power on with its renewables agenda. Part of that agenda is the 2035 emissions reduction targets due this year. Speaking at an event on Monday, Mr Stiell urged the Albanese government not to 'settle for what's easy' when setting Australia's 2035 emissions reduction targets, warning that doing so would plunge Australia's living standards. UN climate chief Simon Stiell says Australia faces 'mega droughts' that will make 'fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat'. Picture: David Gray / AFP 'Mega droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event. 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. 'If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer. 'Bog standard is beneath you. The question is: How far are you willing to go? 'The answer is due in September when Australia's next national climate plan is due.' The warning comes as the Coalition weathers a backbench rebellion to repeal the national carbon neutral target. Sussan Ley has committed to a blanket review of all Coalition policies, including net zero, following its decimation at the federal election. But a handful of mostly Nationals backbenchers led by Barnaby Joyce are calling for the emissions target to be abandoned completely, undermining the Opposition Leader's already tenuous authority. The Albanese government has been warned Australia faces 'mega droughts' without ambitious climate goals. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire Fronting media on Tuesday, senior Liberal MP Tim Wilson somewhat dodged when asked about Mr Stiell's comments overnight. 'Our focus is on making sure that we develop a policy long term to build out the energy security Australia needs,' Mr Wilson told reporters. 'There's a simple reality. Since Labor legislated net zero, they sold us a promise which was that we would see a reduction in prices, we would see a reduction of emissions and of course we'd have reliability on our electricity grid. 'In reality, it has been the reverse.' He said Australians 'have seen a rise in prices, a rise in emissions and less reliability for our energy sources'. 'So what we need now is honest conversations about the way forward and making sure we have our policy priorities in the right order,' Mr Wilson said. 'That's to make sure that we have reliability, affordability and emissions reduction so that we can take the Australian community with us.' Originally published as UN climate chief warns Australia faces 'mega droughts' without climate action
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
How Australia is committing 'suicide' under Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen - and you're paying for their huge mistake: 'I fear literally for the future of the country'
Australia's net zero by 2050 target has been likened to 'energy suicide' as the United Nations calls on Anthony Albanese to 'go big' on reducing carbon emissions. MacroBusiness chief economist Leith van Onselen made the call as the UN's climate change executive secretary, Simon Stiell, visited Sydney and Canberra, urging Australia to implement a more ambitious 2035 climate target. 'Unfortunately, Australia is committing the worst case of energy suicide, the most unnecessary self-sabotage that I've ever seen in my life,' Mr van Onselen said. 'Energy now is the number one existential threat, I think, to Australia. 'I fear literally for the future of the country if we keep going down this road.' Mr van Onselen questioned Labor's goal of renewable energy making up 82 per cent of Australia's energy mix by 2030, as part of a plan to slash emissions by 43 per cent. 'That's impossible,' he said. 'To get to 82 per cent renewable energy, we have to shut down our baseload coal generators that have provided stable, reliable, and very cheap energy for generations. 'Growing up, the electricity bill was nothing. It was never an issue. Now it costs an absolute arm and a leg and is getting worse. You have to ask yourself, why are we doing this when we export seven times more coal than we burn ourselves, and four times more gas than we use ourselves?' He made the call as the UN's climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell visited Sydney and Canberra, calling on Australia to implement a more ambitious 2035 climate target. 'So don't settle for what's easy. Bog standard is beneath you. Go for what's smart by going big,' he said. 'Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security. Go for what will change the game and stand the test of time.' The Coalition, which signed Australia up to a net zero by 2050 target in 2021, faces a potential split on the issue, with former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce on Monday moving a parliamentary motion to repeal that policy. Australia only a small emitter Mr van Onselen said data comparing Australia's carbon emissions with other countries shows Australia is negligible, making up only about one per cent of global emissions. Australia's share has fallen from 1.5 per cent in 2000 to 1.1 per cent today, while China now accounts for 31.5 per cent and India's emissions continue to surge. 'China and India have about 1,400 coal-fired generators. Australia has 18. They are expanding their coal plants every year, while we're shutting ours down. China burns 30 per cent more coal than the rest of the world combined,' he said. 'Australia should be an energy superpower with the lowest energy prices in the world, but instead, we've given ourselves the highest. We've made everything more expensive, from housing construction to manufacturing, because energy is the bedrock of the economy.' Mr van Onselen said Australia needed to seriously consider opening up more coal power plants and considering nuclear. Nuclear ban Australia also has a ban on nuclear power despite being home to a third of the world's uranium reserves, as other nations like the UK and Canada look at building new reactors. 'We've also banned even looking at nuclear despite holding about 30 per cent of the world's uranium reserves,' he said. 'We could be totally energy self-sufficient, but we've banned going down that road while the UK, Canada, and the rest of the world are embracing it. 'I argue, why not just burn the coal that we've got - which we sell seven times more than we use domestically? 'While you're doing that, build some nuclear generators, which are the most environmentally friendly option out of the lot. 'They're cheap to run over the long term and they last a hell of a long time. They have the smallest environmental footprint and they are zero emission.' Former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was defeated at the May election with a plan to build seven nuclear reactors, as part of a net zero by 2050 plan. The Coalition had also proposed repealing a 1998 ban on the building of nuclear power plants, which at the time was a political trade-off John Howard's Coalition government had secured with the Greens in the Senate to build a new nuclear medicines reactor the Lucas Heights in Sydney. Mr van Onselen warned Australia risks mass business failures if Australia continued down the net-zero route. 'If we keep going down this road and keep driving up the cost of energy, every single link in the supply chain - no matter what business you're in - is going to become more expensive, because energy is the bedrock of the economy,' he said. 'If you want a modern economy and want to progress, you've got to use more energy. I'm sorry, that's the way it is. 'China is getting more powerful and richer by using more energy. It's burning more coal, going down the nuclear road, and building out renewables as well. But regardless, it's using more of all types of energy. Every year, its energy use just rockets. Same with India. They recognize that the key to economic progress is using more energy. 'And for us to have some of the biggest reserves of hydrocarbons in the world and not use them ourselves - but be happy to sell them to others - is just moronic. We should be using this stuff ourselves first, and then sell the rest.' He also warned of the growing risks from Australia's reliance on renewables. 'If you rely on wind and solar backed up by batteries and pumped hydro, the facts are clear: energy costs do not go down. They go up. The higher the share of renewables, the higher the cost of energy. This is largely because of transmission costs. You need to build an enormous web of transmission lines and vastly more infrastructure than the nameplate capacity suggests. 'Wind turbines and batteries also need to be replaced roughly every 20 years, which means you're constantly turning over infrastructure. This isn't environmentally friendly, nor is it cheap. The land use and resource consumption are massive, and the cost burden is astronomical. 'If we keep doubling down on this renewables-only approach, we'll keep driving up energy costs, further de-industrializing the country and shrinking our manufacturing base. Eventually, the only industries left will be non-tradable ones (like bricks, which are too heavy and expensive to import) or industries kept alive by government subsidies. That's not sustainable for a strong economy.' Australia has also become a net importer of liquefied natural gas, despite its abundant reserves, as the net zero by 2050 target discourages gas exploration for domestic use. 'We export four times more gas than we use ourselves,' Mr van Onselen said. He warned that the cost of energy in Australia is now so high that 'it's effectively impossible for businesses to grow and develop here'. 'We seem to be shunting ourselves into a bit of a cul-de-sac. 'We've already shut down a large number of coal generators, yet we're still heavily reliant on the ones we have left. They're old, under pressure, and being run at full capacity - effectively redlined - to cover the shortfalls from intermittent renewables. At some point, one of these generators will fail, causing a catastrophic blackout.' Coal demonised Mr van Onselen slammed Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen for demonising coal. 'When [blackout] happens, politicians like Chris Bowen and the 'net zero heroes' will rush to blame coal as unreliable, rather than acknowledging the real problem: the wind wasn't blowing, the sun wasn't shining, and the renewables failed to deliver when needed,' he said. 'They'll use the crisis as an excuse to shut down even more coal generation and force through more renewables, even though renewables were the root cause of the failure.' Jobs at risk The conservative Institute of Public Affairs has released new research showing 631,800 jobs are at risk as a result of net zero, mainly in Liberal and National electorates. IPA research fellow Cian Hussey noted net zero has had bipartisan support since October 2021 when former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison committed Australia to eliminating carbon emissions from energy use in less than three decades' time. 'It should not be forgotten that it was the Coalition under Scott Morrison, without debate, that signed Australia up to net zero, yet it has been electoral poison for them,' he said. 'By retaining its commitment to net zero, the Coalition is unable to highlight the significant costs the policy is imposing on Australians and the significant costs it will impose into the future. In effect, it is running cover for Labor on a policy it covets.' Labor under Anthony Albanese has taken this policy even further, pushing up average power prices to level beyond $400 a quarter, crippling small business and hurting the poor despite Australia having an abundance of coal, natural gas and uranium. Joyce and another former Nationals leader Michael McCormack are joining political forces to repeal net zero, potentially undermining the authority of new Liberal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
‘Mega droughts': Huge warning to Australia
Australia faces 'mega droughts' that will make 'fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat' if it does not rapidly ramp up efforts to take the country's grid green, the UN's climate chief has warned ahead of talks in Canberra. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's main climate body, will on Tuesday meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, with Australia's bid to host COP31 next year among the key discussion points. Hosting the climate conference would mark a significant turnaround for Australia, reflective of the Albanese government's efforts to position the country as a regional leader in the renewables transition. Australia's net zero by 2050 target was central to the Albanese government's youth-focused re-election pitch, with Labor vowing to power on with its renewables agenda. Part of that agenda is the 2035 emissions reduction targets due this year. Speaking at an event on Monday, Mr Stiell urged the Albanese government not to 'settle for what's easy' when setting Australia's 2035 emissions reduction targets, warning that doing so would plunge Australia's living standards. 'Mega droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event. 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. 'If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer. 'Bog standard is beneath you. The question is: How far are you willing to go? 'The answer is due in September when Australia's next national climate plan is due.' The warning comes as the Coalition weathers a backbench rebellion to repeal the national carbon neutral target. Sussan Ley has committed to a blanket review of all Coalition policies, including net zero, following its decimation at the federal election. But a handful of mostly Nationals backbenchers led by Barnaby Joyce are calling for the emissions target to be abandoned completely, undermining the Opposition Leader's already tenuous authority. The Albanese government has been warned Australia faces 'mega droughts' without ambitious climate goals. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Fronting media on Tuesday, senior Liberal MP Tim Wilson somewhat dodged when asked about Mr Stiell's comments overnight. 'Our focus is on making sure that we develop a policy long term to build out the energy security Australia needs,' Mr Wilson told reporters. 'There's a simple reality. Since Labor legislated net zero, they sold us a promise which was that we would see a reduction in prices, we would see a reduction of emissions and of course we'd have reliability on our electricity grid. 'In reality, it has been the reverse.' He said Australians 'have seen a rise in prices, a rise in emissions and less reliability for our energy sources'. 'So what we need now is honest conversations about the way forward and making sure we have our policy priorities in the right order,' Mr Wilson said. 'That's to make sure that we have reliability, affordability and emissions reduction so that we can take the Australian community with us.'
