Australia Raises Bar for Carbon Emissions Cuts by 2035

Thu Sep 18 2025 17:23:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant policy shift, Australia aims to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 62% by 2035, escalating its previous commitment of 43% by 2030.

Australia has announced a new emissions reduction target, committing to a 62% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. This decision follows global critiques of the country's reliance on fossil fuels and is part of its obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement. The Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of this target supported by scientific assessments of climate-related risks facing the nation, while the opposition raised concerns over its feasibility. This shift highlights Australia's ongoing struggle to balance progress towards renewable energy while still supporting fossil fuel projects.

Australia, one of the world's most significant polluters per capita, announced its intention to achieve a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions, pledging to cut emissions by at least 62% from 2005 levels over the next decade. The country's previous commitment to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030 has faced scrutiny amid global criticism of its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

In unveiling the new target, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, This is a responsible target supported by science and a practical plan to get there, built on proven technology. The announcement comes alongside a government-commissioned risk assessment indicating that Australia is likely to experience increasingly severe weather conditions as a result of human-induced climate change.

Meeting the 62% target aligns with the recommendations provided by the Climate Change Authority and reflects Australia’s commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. The Prime Minister is set to present this commitment at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

Australia's climate change challenges have escalated in recent years, marked by extreme weather events including severe droughts, bushfires, and record-breaking floods. Additionally, the impacts of climate change have already caused warming above the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold—all highlighted by a recent domestic report on climate vulnerabilities.

While the Albanese government aims for a transition to becoming a renewable energy superpower, it continues to grant approvals for fossil fuel exploitation, provoking backlash from environmental advocates and climate experts alike. The decision to keep operating major fossil fuel projects like the North West Shelf gas project until 2070 has garnered intense criticism as a contradiction to its renewable goals.

Political divisions remain regarding Australia's climate agenda, as the opposition Liberal National coalition discusses its future stance on reaching net zero emissions by 2050, while some independents and Green MPs advocate for even more aggressive emissions cuts.