In response to Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry claims a national 2035 emissions reduction target would undermine "productivity, competitiveness and viability," the Australian Conservation Foundation's climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean said:
"With huge opportunities in renewable exports and manufacturing, and more frequent and extreme weather events already impacting the Australian economy, the days of Australian business being a drag on climate ambition are over.
"High emissions economies like Australia will be left behind in the rapidly growing clean energy trade unless we have a strong 2035 target and the net zero plan to get there.
"A strong science based 2035 emissions reduction target will keep Australians safer from the impacts of climate change and send a strong market signal that drives investment in the clean energy tech and manufacturing industries to transition our domestic economy and exports.
"As an economy with large mining, nature-based tourism and agricultural sectors, Australia's economy is vulnerable to economic shocks caused by extreme weather events.
"Continuing on a linear, business-as-usual trajectory will condemn Australians - including Australian industry - to a world of rolling climate disasters.
"While there is much we don't know about what the world will be like in 2035, we do know the damage from climate change will continue to accelerate.
"Yes, there are challenges in rapidly shifting to an economy powered by clean energy, but they are nothing compared with the challenges of living in a world that is 3° hotter.
"To give Australians and our environment the best chance of holding global warming at the safest levels now possible, Australia really should aim for net zero by 2035, but no less than 80%.
"Modelling by Climateworks shows the sum total of State and Territory 2035 targets and climate policies puts Australia already on track to achieve at least 71% by 2035.
"The wellbeing, livelihoods and security of Australian communities and the ecosystems upon which we depend, rest on the action we take to tackle the climate crisis."
