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The Albanese government says despite being behind on its promised target of a 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030, Australia is on track to achieve a 40 per cent reduction.
Key points:
The government on Thursday delivered Australia's first annual climate change statement
It is also released an emissions projection report, which is part of the Australia's new Climate Change Act
Scientists say that for Australia to help stop global warming it should cut emissions by about 74 per cent by 2030
"I'm pleased with how much the government has achieved," said Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
"Pleased, but not satisfied … there is so much more to do."
The government's 2022 emissions projection report was released today, along with the climate change statement, both of which are required under Australia's new Climate Change Act.
Mr Bowen said the new projections showed the government had "lifted the outlook by a third in just our first six months."
The government also released independent advice from the Climate Change Authority, which Mr Bowen said showed just how much effort was required to reach the 43 per cent target.
The report said to achieve a 43 per cent reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050, the "decarbonisation rate needs to be at least 17 million tonnes of carbon per year".
That would require a 40 per cent faster rate of decarbonisation than has occurred since 2009, Mr Bowen said.
Scientists say that for Australia to do its fair share in stopping global warming at 1.5C though, it should cut emissions by about 74 per cent by 2030.
Mr Bowen addressed those concerns in his speech.
"There are some who call for more. I understand the sentiment and of course as we have said repeatedly, we see the 43 per cent as a floor not a ceiling."
Australia 'not a low-carbon economy'
The independent advice provided by the government's Climate Change Authority noted there was still a lot of work required for Australia to achieve its targets.
"Australia is not a low-carbon economy and it will take a significant transition to become one," said former Origin Energy boss and current authority chair Grant King in his forward to the report.
"Australia needs to be moving faster and across all sectors of the economy to achieve our targets."
He said that in particular, the net zero target required highly coordinated action.
"Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will require a plan that carefully sequences a combination of actions to mitigate and sequester carbon emissions across the whole economy."
Labor 'lacks a plan': Coalition
The Coalition defended its emissions record, with the shadow minister for climate change and energy taking to the floor of parliament to poke holes in Labor's statement.
Ted O'Brien said the former government "decarbonised the Australian economy" in a way that was "responsible" and "balanced".
"Australia's annual carbon emissions had reduced by 77 million tonnes from when the Coalition was first elected in 2013," Mr O'Brien said.
"Which means Australia's greenhouse gas emissions fell by over 20 per cent on 2005 levels under the Coalition."
Mr O'Brien said while the Labor government had a vision, it lacked a plan.
"After nine years of naysaying, the Labor Party failed to do the heavy lifting on policy formulation. And Australian households and businesses are suffering the consequences," Mr O'Brien said.
He also expressed concern that Australia would have to build thousands of solar panels and wind turbines a day to reach the renewable energy electricity generation target of 82 per cent.
And he criticised the federal government for not doing enough to stop the hikes in energy prices.