Today's Emissions Projections Report prepared by the Climate Department shows that the current absence of climate policies has Australia on track to only reach 48% reductions by 2035, nowhere near their 62% target
Australia will fall significantly short of even its 2030 target without further action. Labor must stop approving new coal and gas but could also build on the momentum of the EPBC agreement this morning and immediately move to end native forest logging to hit their 2030 target.
Crucially, the Department's calculations seem to have excluded details of the LNP Queensland Government's economically reckless decision seven weeks ago to extend their coal fleet's operation by an additional decade. This means the true emissions figures could be significantly worse than even what the department has presented in this report.
As put by Greens Leader Larissa Waters
"These are diabolical pollution numbers that suggest we are on track for cataclysmic climate change," said Larissa Waters.
"The numbers in this report show Australia is nowhere near meeting Labor's supposed climate targets for pollution reduction, which is directly thanks to decisions like Labor's approval of the North West Shelf gas project within two weeks of being re-elected.
"Labor, like the Liberals, have sold our climate ambition out to the coal and gas lobbyists.
"48% is a country mile away from the 62% emissions reduction that Labor promised.
"Beyond that, it's likely the true numbers are even worse given the report seems to have excluded pricing in Queensland's decision to keep coal in the energy mix for a decade longer.
"The Greens stopped Labor's plan to fast track 30 day coal and gas approvals, but Labor point blank refused to include a climate trigger because they are in bed with the fossil fuel industry.
"The Greens are calling on Labor to build on the momentum of today's EPBC agreement to take urgent action: immediately end native forest logging across the country and stop approving new coal and gas projects."
