Australia has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by midcentury without major new legislation restricting fossil fuels, a commitment that brings the country into alignment with its rich peers ahead of the Glasgow climate summit but that was met with environmentalist skepticism.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country would lean on investments in renewable and other clean energy technologies to meet its target and not introduce taxes or other mandates to cut emissions, which other countries have maintained is necessary to meet Paris Agreement aims of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
“We have not and would never make a blank cheque commitment or impose new taxes, as Labor has, to achieve net-zero. That would leave Australians footing the bill,” Morrison, a member of the Liberal Party, wrote in an opinion column Tuesday, pitching the approach particularly in terms of protecting rural Australia from increased costs.
Details about the plan to reach net-zero are sparse, and Morrison indicated that he would reveal more at the United Nations’ climate change conference in Glasgow, which begins Sunday.
The announcement comes as other wealthy nations, such as the United States and Japan, pursue more aggressive policies and short-term targets to slash emissions, with the U.N. urging countries to go even bigger.
The Biden administration is targeting at least a 50% cut in emissions by 2030, while Japan is targeting a 46% reduction.
Australia did not update its 2030 target but rather stuck with the target set in 2015 of a 26% cut, although its government maintains that it is set to reach a 30%-35% reduction by then.
Critics of the announcement maintained it lacked ambition and detail.
“Australia cannot keep relying on coal and gas exports because these industries are on the way out, and if those workers are not helped with the transition, they will be left high and dry,” said Kelly O’Shanassy, chief executive officer of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
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The UK and EU have taken measures to reach net zero that have placed substantial hardships on their citizens. Yet, they have no chance of reaching that goal. Wind and solar can not power a modern industrial society and have periods when those energy sources are not available. At least Australia which also has no chance of reaching net zero is not going to impose hardship on its citizens.
Ha! Ha! is all one can say to this type of pledge!! Laugh more and you’ll forget your overwhelming anger at this type of virtuous verbosity. 🤣🤣
On the road to ruin and poverty all over a totaly faked Crisis Might as well give the orders to Lower the Lifeboats because your going to sink