Australian PM Commits To Net Zero By 2050 - On Scant Details

Australia's prime minister has released his government's plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and said the country is on track to beat its 2030 target, as he prepares to fly to Glasgow for the Cop26 climate summit.

-  Sarah Martin

Scott Morrison described the new plan as a “practical way” to neutralise Australia's emissions by 2050, but critics noted that almost a third of the abatement task is comprised of cuts via unspecified technology breakthroughs” and “global trends”, while a further 20% will be achieved through carbon offsets.

New projections by the energy department suggest Australia could reduce emissions by 30%-35% by 2030, although the government will not change its formal 2030 target of a 26%-28% cut compared with 2005 levels, set in 2015.

Australia's emissions are among the highest in the world on a per capita basis. The country has long trailed behind similar developed countries in pledging to reduce emissions.

The government has refused to release modelling underpinning the 2050 plan and is keeping details of the package secret.