- Albanese Government's 62-70% emissions reduction range falls well short of scientific recommendations
- Australian reefs like the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo to face the consequences
- Weak targets unnecessarily increase the risk of more algal blooms
The federal government's announcement of a 62-70% emissions reduction target by 2035, compared to a 2005 baseline, puts our ocean and reefs at unnecessary risk, says the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
The commitment comes just days after the government approved an extension to the massive North West Shelf gas plant and its own National Climate Risk Assessment showed the enormous costs of climate inaction sent shockwaves across the community.
AMCS CEO Paul Gamblin said: "The future of Australia's reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo, is in our hands. A baseline target of 62% is letting these natural wonders slip through our fingers.
"Today's 2035 target is on track with global warming of over 2°C, which will likely lead to the loss of 99% of the world's coral reefs.
"Australians elected the Albanese Government to take strong action on climate change. Instead, the Prime Minister has chosen a mediocre target that undermines momentum. Mediocrity won't help save our ocean or support our communities who face a perilous future.
"Australia is an important and influential middle power on the global stage, in a neighbourhood of large ocean states that are already being ravaged by climate change. This was a moment for leadership. The Albanese government must show how it will deliver real climate action.
"The Prime Minister's decision today, combined with the recently approved extension of the massive North West Shelf gas plant, pushes Australia down the wrong path. Future generations will pay the price. We must do better, if not for us, then for our children and those in our Pacific neighbourhood whose life expectations are narrowing."
"This was the opportunity for the Albanese government to step up to the plate and give our natural wonders and the billion dollar industries that rely on them and a healthy ocean a fighting chance.
"If the Albanese Government is serious about giving Australia's reefs a fighting chance, it needs to commit to at least a 90% cut in emissions by 2035 and end approvals for new coal and gas projects. These are the two critical steps to protecting our ocean and coasts from the worst impacts of climate change, including intensified bleaching, supercharged cyclones and devastating algal blooms.
"Australian marine life is crying out for bold leadership on climate change. Last year, the Great Barrier Reef suffered the highest coral cover loss on record and Ningaloo Reef has just been hit with the most extensive and severe bleaching event in its history. South Australia is still reeling from an algal bloom that is devastating wildlife and coastal communities.
"The government's own report, released this week, shows these marine heatwaves are only set to get worse. Reef habitats around the country are predicted to face some of the highest impacts of warming waters. Our world-class coastal environments, treasured way of life and wellbeing are all under existential threat."
"Australia has the resources, the technology and the responsibility to be a leader on reducing the impacts of climate change. We remain among the world's highest carbon polluters per capita, and we're still approving new coal and gas projects.
"The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo are still amazing places to visit, and we can still save them from the worst that climate impacts will bring. But that will only happen if we slash fossil fuel emissions, stop opening new coal and gas projects and supercharge clean energy. Every delay steers us further away from a future where our kids can experience the wonder of our reefs.
"Unless we tackle the root cause of climate change, the long‑term health and resilience of our reefs and coastal areas will be lost. We can still have living reefs and a thriving ocean, but Australia must act drastically to cut greenhouse emissions and stop the approval of new fossil fuels.
