Govind Tekale
Australia’s new climate pledge aims to cut emissions 62-70% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. This target sits between our current 43% by 2030 goal and the promised net zero by 2050.
The government’s target is lower than the 65-75% range recommended by the Climate Change Authority, which based its advice on modelling of pathways and Australia’s carbon budget. Key funding includes a $2 billion allocation to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and programs such as the Battery Breakthrough Initiative and Hydrogen Headstart administered by ARENA.
Prime Minister Albanese described the target as hitting “the sweet spot” between ambition and achievability during the announcement.
The Greens have criticized the target as insufficient, with leader Adam Bandt calling it “a betrayal of science” and far below what’s needed to stay within Australia’s carbon budget.
Opposition parties have expressed mixed reactions, with concerns about economic impacts raised by the Coalition, while climate-focused independents have pushed for stronger implementation measures.
The Safeguard Mechanism remains central for industrial emissions, requiring Australia’s largest facilities to stay under declining baselines.
AEMO’s Integrated System Plan shows the need for approximately 10,000 km of new transmission lines by 2050 and tens of gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2035 to support the energy transition.
How Does Australia’s 2035 Target Stack Up? Test Your Knowledge & Explore Global Climate Commitments
2035 Emissions Reduction Targets By Country
See how Australia’s new 2035 target compares to other major economies. Hover over each bar for details.
Australia’s target falls below the 65-75% range recommended by its own Climate Change Authority. The ambitious grid transformation will require approximately 10,000 km of new transmission lines by 2050.
Test Your Knowledge: Australia’s Climate Policy
1. What reduction range did the Climate Change Authority recommend for Australia’s 2035 target?
2. Which mechanism remains central for industrial emissions reduction in Australia?
3. How much new transmission infrastructure will Australia need by 2050?
4. Which country has the most ambitious 2035 emissions reduction target?
5. What is Australia’s current 2030 emissions reduction target?
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will progressively lower emissions limits for new cars entering Australia, with implementation details available through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Australia’s 62-70% range places it behind the UK’s more ambitious 2035 target of approximately 81% below 1990 levels. The US has set a formal 2035 economy-wide target of about 61-66% below 2005 levels, while the EU is still negotiating its 2035 goals but has been discussing ranges in the mid-60s to low-70s.
Some regions like Washington state are targeting 75% cuts in specific sectors such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by the same timeframe.
The National Climate Risk Assessment projects increased exposure to climate hazards, including more homes facing flood risks, more dangerous heat days, and rising insurance costs in vulnerable areas.
Energy bills face mixed pressures: upward from infrastructure investment but downward from cheaper renewable generation. Transport costs will shift as electric vehicles become mainstream.
Households can access energy efficiency rebates through federal and state schemes to reduce bills immediately. Details on these programs are available via the Department of Climate Change website.
The integrity of carbon credits under the Australian Carbon Credit Units framework has been subject to review, with the government implementing reforms following the 2022 Chubb Review recommendations.
Land sector accounting rules will significantly influence the real-world impact of the target. A significant portion of Australia’s historical emissions reductions have come from the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, with debate about setting separate “gross” targets for the rest of the economy.
Methane management from gas and coal operations represents another crucial piece, tracked through the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme.
Transparent emissions data is vital for accountability, especially as we’ve seen with reporting program changes in other countries that can create monitoring gaps.
Australia will formally submit this target to the UN climate process as our updated Nationally Determined Contribution. Parliamentary debate continues around implementation legislation, particularly funding and regulations.
The visible impacts of climate change are already being documented globally, with initiatives like Google Earth’s satellite imagery showing how ecosystems are responding to rising temperatures.
This information draws directly from government announcements and policy documents. For specific program details, consult the Department of Climate Change website.
