Australia: Ministers say gas target by 2030 set and will be exceeded

Australia’s emissions target by 2030 has been set and the government is committed to exceeding it, several ministers said today, without specifying whether the country ‘s targets would be updated, as called for by the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

The talks in Glasgow ended yesterday with an agreement that for the first time targets fossil fuels as a key factor in global warming, calling for stricter emission commitments from 2022, among other things.

“Australia’s 2030 target has been set and we are committed to achieving and exceeding it,” said Secretary of State Mariz Payne and Energy Secretary Angus Taylor in a joint statement issued after the COP26 conference, adding that the government would does “the right thing for rural and local communities”.

Australia’s current commitment envisions a 26-28% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The country, one of the world’s largest coal and gas producers, has been described as a “mineral giant” in UN talks by Climate Action Network activists over its “horrific approach to climate change policy”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has targeted zero carbon emissions by 2050, but has said he will not legislate. Rejected the global commitment to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

Greg Hunt, Australia’s health minister who served as environment minister from 2013-2016, declined today to say whether the government would update the target. “We have set a goal. But what we will continue to do is update our forecasts,” Hunt said in an interview with Australian Broadcast Corp.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ