AUSTRALIA will fail to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets, confirming the the Federal Government has dropped the ball when it comes to tackling climate change, according to a landmark international report.

The United Nation’s Environment Program’s ‘Emissions Gap 2017’ report has confirmed that Australia is on track to dramatically fail to slash its greenhouse gas emission levels, just days before parties to the Paris Agreement, including Australia, will converge for COP23 to discuss their progress.

Climate Councillor and climate scientist Professor Will Steffen said Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target of 26-28 per cent on 2005 levels is ‘one of the weakest in the world’.

“We are set to dramatically miss the targets our own government has set. Instead, Australia’s emissions continue to rise and have been rising consistently every quarter since 2015.” he said.

“This report confirms what we already suspected – Australia’s ‘business as usual’ approach and continued reliance on fossil fuel generated power is failing – and now the whole world is taking notice.”

“Australia’s reputation as a responsible global citizen is plummeting, while other nations around the world are making serious progress towards clean, affordable renewable energy and storage technology.”

Professor Steffen said the Federal Government climate and energy policy gridlock must end in order for Australia to get on with the job of tackling climate change.

“The National Energy Guarantee and the Emissions Reduction Fund will do nothing to seriously deal with Australia’s climbing carbon pollution levels and will result in intensifying extreme weather events.

“Australia cannot accept anything less than a long-term, bipartisan policy framework that turns away from fossil fuels, and embraces the inevitable clean energy future.”

For more information please contact Climate Council Media Advisor Alexia Boland on 0430 511 068.