The Australian Government will soon set its 2035 climate target. The strongest possible target must be set to ensure the protection of future generations from worsening climate impacts, in Australia and around the globe.
Here is everything you need to know about climate targets.
What is a target?
A goal to reduce a country’s climate pollution, which then guides a nation’s climate policy. Australia’s current climate target is 43% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030 and to net zero by 2050.
Who sets Australia’s target?
The independent Climate Change Authority (CCA) will provide advice to the Australian Government on setting and achieving its 2035 target in coming months. The Climate Change Act requires the Government to consider that advice in then setting a target. Australia is then expected to announce our 2035 climate target (known as a Nationally Determined Contribution) in September this year.
How are our current targets going?
In 2022 the Albanese Government set a new target of 43% reduction by 2030, backed by new policies and investment. Australia is now projected to achieve a 42.6% cut by 2030.
Australia’s climate policies have helped grow renewable power in our main grid to 43%. Already, over 33,000 Australian workers are building and maintaining Australia’s electricity generation, storage, and transmission, and another 40,000 workers will be needed by 2030. Four million homes now have solar panels, saving an average of $1,500 each year, while households with both solar and a battery can save about $2,300. Prices are lower for households without solar too, with renewable power reducing bills by 8 to 21% last year, depending on the state.
Why does it matter?
Climate change is already here. Climate pollution from burning coal, oil and gas has formed a thick blanket of heat-trapping gases around the world. The excess heat is driving more ferocious and frequent fires, floods and heatwaves, as well as making all our weather more volatile and unpredictable. These climate impacts have significant costs for Australians:
- Disasters cost the Australian economy $2.2 billion in just the first six months of 2025.
- It is estimated that 80,000 properties across the nation have become effectively uninsurable since 1990, primarily due to worsening climate risks.
- Annual average farm profits are estimated 23% lower since 2000 due to climate change.
What do the climate scientists say is necessary to protect Australians?
Scientists consider how to keep Australians as safe as possible from worsening climate disasters. Stronger targets reduce climate risk, while weaker targets means more disasters and danger. The Australian Academy of Sciences and Climate Council’s recent scientific analysis shows that net zero by 2035 has the strongest chance of preventing massive disruption to the global climate system.
What are our international obligations?
The Paris Agreement requires all countries to set the strongest possible targets. Efforts should be ratcheted up from the 2030 target and represent a fair share (based on our population and wealth) of holding global heating below 1.5ºC. UN climate chief Simon Stiell has called for Australia to “go big”.
What will current policies achieve by 2035?
With only current government policy, Australia is already expected to cut climate pollution by at least 51% by 2035.¹ Together state and territory climate targets add up to a 66-71% reduction in Australia’s climate pollution by 2035. The East Coast states all have targets 70% or more: Victoria (75-80%), NSW (70%) and Queensland (75%).
What are the risks if we fail to curb climate pollution?
Australians have already experienced some of the early, but severe impacts of fossil-fuel driven climate change, from the Black Summer bushfires to South Australia’s current algal bloom. Yet, things will get worse if we fail to accelerate action. Unchecked climate change is expected to cost Australia $4.2 trillion by 2070 (in A$2025) and lead to twice as many homes becoming uninsurable by 2100. The Great Barrier Reef will be lost, and 50ºC days will regularly occur in Sydney and Melbourne.
Is a strong target possible?
Yes, Australia has an enviable set of advantages, which help us cut climate pollution. We’re the sunniest country in the world, and one of the windiest, and we have the world’s third-cheapest renewable power. Plus, we have ample land, a skilled workforce, and the minerals and metals needed to make pollution-cutting technologies.
Analyses by both the CSIRO and Climateworks show that cuts of 75% by 2030 are possible, based on today’s technology assumptions. In April 2024, the Climate Change Authority’s preliminary advice to Government also found that a 2035 target in the range of 65-75%) is achievable. Over time, improvements in technology improvements are likely to make it even more possible.
What are the benefits for Australians of a strong target?
As we work toward stronger targets, these benefits will continue to grow. Households who get off gas and switch to electric vehicles can reduce their overall energy costs by 80%. Meanwhile, another 40,000 workers in generation, storage and transmission alone will be needed by 2030, with 2-3 times more working on electrifying households, transport and businesses.
How would a strong target impact our economy?
EY’s Net Zero Centre has found that “the economic case for ambitious action is now stronger than ever”. It helps to keep Australians safer from climate change, reducing impacts on farmers, workers, and businesses. And it also provides essential certainty to business, allowing early and decisive investments in cleaner, more efficient energy sources and machinery. Investing in energy upgrades would have big benefits for our economy, with international evidence suggesting energy investments can increase a business’s overall productivity by 1.4% to 3.6%.
Setting a strong target helps to provide certainty for investors and trade partners. As the Albanese Government seeks to establish green export industries under the Future Made in Australia plan – which could create 400,000 jobs by 2040, and be worth almost $1 trillion to Australia by 2060 – this credibility is essential to build the trading relationships that can drive prosperity for decades to come.
Will Australia’s action make a difference?
Australia is the 15th biggest polluter in the world – bigger than 182 countries. Australia is vulnerable to climate impact and, like trade negotiations or security pacts, Australia’s interests are served by being part of the group shaping global decisions. To have credibility – we have to tackle our own pollution.
What do the different players want?
Many organisations are calling for strong climate targets, including the Australian Academy of Science, Unions (ASU, AMWU, ETU), Australian Council of Social Services, Investors and Insurance Council of Australia.
Recently, businesses and investors including Fortescue, Volvo Group Australia, Bank Australia, and Future Super have publicly advocated for a target of at least 75%, saying “It’s economically smart”, and that a “clear national target unlocks private capital, drives competitiveness, and delivers the policy certainty that investors need.”
¹ Regulations for 2030 to 2035 under two of Australia’s main climate policies – the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and Safeguard Mechanism – are expected to be set in 2026-27, which will see further significant cuts to 2030. Current projections assume these rules cease or fall back to default settings, which are substantially weaker than current rules, allowing significant further cuts to be achieved through simply aligning 2030 regulations for existing policies with the current regulation’s trajectory.
