Biggest annual drop in climate emissions since COVID
More clean energy power grids and progress on industrial decarbonization have contributed to the biggest annual drop in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has declared Australia is “well on track” to meet its 2030 climate targets following the government department’s latest figures.
Australia is seeking to reduce emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and 62-70 per cent by 2035; Interim targets to reach net zero by 2050.
Climate pollution has fallen by 2.2 percent per year to June 2025. numbers From the Ministry of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
Total emissions are now 28.5 percent lower than in June 2005.
“If we stay on this path and continue to increase our efforts, we are on track to lower energy bills and meet our climate goals,” Mr. Bowen said.
The Labor government is touting its progress on climate while the federal opposition backs away from official targets to cut emissions to neutral by 2050, arguing the government’s plans are too costly and largely ineffective at reducing emissions.
Mr Bowen, who has just returned from United Nations climate talks in Brazil without official hosting rights to the next summit, said his government’s practical policies, including a safeguard mechanism targeting major polluters and popular subsidies for home batteries, were working to reduce emissions.
Thursday’s figures show electricity emissions fell by 3.3 per cent in the year to June, driven by more renewable energy. In September, wind and solar energy surpassed coal on a monthly basis for the first time.
Emissions from industry fell by 2.2 percent, reflecting technological changes in the chemical and metals sectors, as well as fugitive emissions falling by 4.3 percent.
Transport emissions were 0.3 percent higher; this reflected greater diesel use on the roads and higher flight activity.
Preliminary figures for last quarter show that the downward trend will continue in the next financial year, with a 2.8 per cent decline expected for the year to September.
Conservation and climate groups warn Australia is missing an opportunity to further reduce pollution with a reform of federal environmental laws.
Labor finally reached a deal with the Greens on Thursday to pass problematic nature conservation regulations.
While gaps in local forestry will be closed sooner and fossil fuel projects won’t be accelerated under the deal with the minor party, groups such as the Climate Council warn the final package falls short of controlling climate pollution for new development approvals.
“The assessment stage includes 42 coal and gas projects in Australia that could add 8.7 million tonnes of pollution annually, undermining our climate targets and progress,” Climate Council Member Professor Tim Flannery said.
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