Commenting on the Albanese government's target to reduce emissions by 62-70% by 2035, the Australian Conservation Foundation's climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean said:
"This timid target range suggests the Prime Minister is more committed to the future of the coal and gas industries than he is to the safety of Australian communities and nature.
"Until the government stops approving new and expanded coal and gas projects it will continue to put more Australians in harm's way.
"A target range of 62-70% falls significantly short on all measures of what's needed, with the government's plans preparing Australia only to meet the bottom end of the range.
"The 70% figure is greenwashing while the plans are not there to reach it.
"It's awful to see the government shrug and accept the worst-case scenarios in the National Climate Risk Assessment as if they are Australia's inevitable future: regular coastal inundation, more heat-related deaths, worse bushfires and more environmental damage.
"This target range condemns Australian communities to ongoing climate harm and is embarrassing in the face of the climate leadership being shown by our Pacific neighbours and states like Victoria and New South Wales.
"This target is low because the government is in thrall to the coal and gas industry.
"The government's failure to address Australia's biggest contribution to global heating - coal and gas exports - is the thing that is holding back climate action.
"Even the domestic emissions that come from digging up coal and gas in Australia are significant and are proportionately increasing as other parts of the economy decarbonise.
"Wealthy countries such as Australia that have grown economically on the back of coal and gas pollution have the ability - and responsibility - to make much deeper cuts than this."
Norway has a target of 70-75% by 2035. The UK has a target of 81% by 2035. The EU is committed to 90% by 2040.
