The Australian Government implemented an economy-wide target in 2015 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030, as part of Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. In 2015, the Climate Change Authority (CCA) recommended a more ambitious 45-63% emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.
In 2022, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) submitted an updated NDC committing Australia to reduce its emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. The CCA is expected to provide advice on an updated target for 2035 after the 2025 Federal Election.
GHG Emission Reduction Target
Active: NDC to be reconfirmed in 2025
GHG Emission Reduction Target
Active: NDC to be reconfirmed in 2025
On 18 July, a broad coalition of Australian industry associations, including the Australian Energy Council, Australian Industry Group, Carbon Market Institute, Cement Industry Federation, Clean Energy Council, and Energy Users Association of Australia, issued a joint statement supporting the country’s emissions and energy targets. The letter advocated for urgent government investment to support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions energy sources, whilst also supporting the country’s 2030 emissions reduction target and 2030 renewable energy target.
In a July 29th Sydney Morning Herald Article, Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm supported Australia’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, stating that it is aligned with Rio Tinto’s strategy. However, in an August 4th Australian Financial Review Article, the company's Australia CEO Kellie Parker said that the Queensland Gladstone coal-fired power station should play a role in the energy transition beyond 2030.
In a May 24th Bloomberg article, Fortescue Metals Group Chairman, Andrew Forrest, supported increasing Australia’s national emissions reductions target to 50-60% by 2030, up from Labor’s current goal of 43% by 2030. Forrest stated that “there’s no reason why” Labor cannot do this, specifically referencing Australian solar and wind resources to assist in meeting the emissions reduction target.
The Business Council of Australia, Ai Group and Australian Energy Council, through their membership to the Australian Climate Roundtable, released a statement urging the Australian government to build on its 2050 target and to raise ambition.
Specifically, they state that achieving the emissions goals set out at the Paris Agreement was vital for the future of Australian prosperity while also advocating for an increase to Australia’s 2030 NDC target as well as federal policy to help achieve net zero emissions, while stressing that failure to do this could harm competitiveness and result in Australia being left behind in a decarbonized world.
There was broad support for Australia’s net zero ‘plan’ that was finally confirmed this week. The countries top fossil fuel association, APPEA, supported the target but also stressed that increased natural gas exploration would be required to achieve it. The government has not updated its NDC’s for 2030 which are considerable lower compared to similar nations, and only the Ai Group and Clean Energy Council stressed the need for the Australian government to set a higher NDC.
The table below lists the entities found to be most engaged with the policy. InfluenceMap tracks over 500 companies and 250 industry associations globally. Each entity name links to its full InfluenceMap profile, where the evidence of its engagement can be found.
| Influencemap Performance Band | Organization | Policy Position | Policy Engagement Intensity |
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