Fed 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Target (NDC)

Policy Engagement Overview

• Of the evidence collected on corporate and industry lobbying on Australia’s 2030 GHG target from 2015-2021, there are significant more instances of lobbying to weaken the policy than strengthen it.
• While only a small proportion of evidence actively opposed the target, InfluenceMap found 24 cases of entities supporting a weaker GHG target, advocating exemptions for EITE industries, and/or actively lobbying against the Labor Government’s more ambitious proposal of 45% emissions reductions by 2030. For example, the Business Council of Australia labelled Labor’s 45% GHG target “economy wrecking” in 2018.
• There were 20 instances of support for the current target of 26-28%, with a further 18 instances of support for a more ambitious 2030 target.
• Just one organization – Carbon Market Institute – appears to have supported a federal GHG target in line with CCA recommendations.

Impacts on Policy Ambition

In December 2020, Australia re-communicated its 2015 NDC as part of the "ratchet mechanism" under the Paris Agreement. Australia failed to increase its 2030 ambition beyond the original target of 26-28% The new NDC states: "This target is a floor on Australia's ambition. Australia is aiming to overachieve…". However, Australia's 2030 GHG target remains misaligned with the Paris Agreement and the advice of the Climate Change Authority, and has been categorized as "Insufficient" by Climate Action Tracker in line with 2°C to 3°C warming scenarios.

* in face of calls for increasing the ambition of the target.