Key points
- Australia has poured money into clean energy
- But its green ambitions are at odds with its deep entanglement with fossil fuel industries
- It remains one of the world’s biggest coal exporters
ISLAMABAD: The UN’s climate chief on Monday challenged Australia to take more ambitious climate action, saying the mining superpower faced a “defining moment” as it prepared new emissions targets.
Australia is due to release its latest national emissions targets in September, setting out plans to decarbonise an economy built largely on mining and coal.
“The question is: how far are you willing to go,” UN climate chief Simon Stiell said in prepared remarks ahead of a speech in Sydney.
“This isn’t just the next policy milestone. It’s a defining moment.”
Previous pledge
Australia has previously pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent before the end of the decade, and to reach net zero by 2050.
It is currently developing its next round of targets — or Nationally Determined Contributions — a key obligation under the landmark Paris climate agreement.
“This is the moment: to get behind a climate plan that doesn’t just write that vision into policy, but delivers in spades for your people,” Stiell said.
“So don’t settle for what’s easy.
“Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security. Go for what will change the game — and stand the test of time.”
Ambitions
Australia has poured money into solar power, wind turbines and green manufacturing — pledging to make the nation a renewable energy superpower.
But Australia’s green ambitions are at odds with its deep entanglement with lucrative fossil fuel industries.
It remains one of the world’s biggest coal exporters and continues to heavily subsidise fossil fuel sectors.
According to Reuters, the United Nations climate chief urged Australia and Turkey to resolve their long-running tussle over who will host next year’s COP31 summit, calling the delay unhelpful and unnecessary.
Australia and Turkey submitted bids to host the high-profile conference in 2022 and both countries have refused to concede to the other ever since.
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which oversees COP summits, said the deadlock was undermining preparations.
