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Emissions from the power sector have been on a long-term downward trend, down nearly 29% from their 2009 peak.
Renewables now make up 40% of the energy mix, while the large coal-fired generators that supply most of the country’s electricity are increasingly being shut down earlier than expected.
However, Australia’s stagnant pace of emissions reductions highlights the scale of the challenge the Albanese government faces in meeting its climate goals.
Scientists say that to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees – the level the Paris Agreement says is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change – the world must achieve a balance between the emissions it produces and the emissions it removes from the atmosphere, known as “net zero”.
Australia’s target to reduce emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 is legally binding and is seen as a key stepping stone to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The government hopes to achieve most of its emissions reduction targets by transforming the country’s coal-based power sector.
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It has accelerated the rollout, with the share of renewable energy in the grid growing by 25% since the government was formed in May 2022.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the figures showed Australia was still on track to meet its climate targets and accused the opposition of being “obsessed with opposing renewable energy”.
“Australia is one of the sunniest places in the world, with the best solar and wind resources. Harnessing these resources will ensure Australians have access to a clean, affordable, reliable and resilient energy system,” Bowen said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has reignited the climate war ahead of the next federal election, promising to scrap Australia’s legally binding 2030 climate target and instead use taxpayer money to build Seven nuclear power plantsEach nuclear power plant is likely to be equipped with multiple reactors and built between 2035 and 2050.
Mr Dutton said he supported the use of renewable energy in the energy mix but did not specify the level of clean energy he wanted on the grid.
The latest forecast released in November by the Ministry of Climate Change, Energy and Water Resources shows that emissions reductions are on track to achieve the 2030 climate goals.
In addition to renewable energy, the government has implemented policies to reduce emissions by increasing the use of electric vehicles and reducing pollution from industrial users such as processing plants, smelters and large mining companies.
Figures published on Friday showed emissions in the 12 months to June 2024 were 28% lower than in 2005, the baseline for the government’s climate targets. In the year to June 2023, emissions fell 0.9% compared with the previous 12 months.
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