Claims Australia will easily make its 2030 emissions reduction target have been further weakened by Australia’s poor performance on an international scorecard for energy efficiency, the Climate Council said today.

The American Council for Energy Efficiency released its international scorecard overnight, which ranks the top 23 biggest energy-consuming countries on their commitment and performance on energy efficiency across a range of areas including national schemes, buildings, industry and transport.

Australia ranked 16th overall, below India and Turkey and only slightly better than Russia and Indonesia.

Australia was ranked in the bottom three countries for industry and transport.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said government claims that Australia was on track to meet its 2030 target were based on implementing fuel emission standards and other energy efficiency measures, which still were yet to exist.

“Australia has done virtually nothing to moderate or reverse our growing transport emissions, which are the third-highest source of greenhouse gases,” she said.

“Unlike the majority of comparable countries, Australia has no fuel efficiency standards in place for cars or trucks, even though the barriers associated with protecting the local car industry no longer exist.

“Australia has also scored poorly for industrial efficiency after axing a number of successful energy efficiency initiatives including the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program.

“Research has shown that ambitious energy efficiency is essential to getting to net zero emissions by 2050 and tackling climate change.

“Implementing the Energy Productivity Plan and introducing fuel efficiency standards should be top priority for the new Energy and Environment Minister if we are to make serious inroads into reducing our emissions, which are continuing to rise.”

For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Jessica Craven on 0400 424 559 or jess@climatecouncil.org.au