UN Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary Simon Stiell has urged the Australian Government to “go big” when setting its 2035 carbon emissions target.
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Stiell made the comments during a speech to clean energy investors in Sydney on Monday, where he said Australia had “one shot” to build lasting wealth and national security in the transition to renewables.
Stiell acknowledged climate policy debates were “complex and contentious”, but urged the goverment to not “settle for what’s easy”.
“If those debates deliver an ambitious, all-economy plan with public backing and political backbone then, whatever the naysayers might say, every hard-fought inch will be worth it,” he told the audience.
“Bog standard is beneath you … Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security. Go for what will change the game and stand the test of time.”
The government is sitting on its 2035 target awaiting advice from the Climate Change Authority, led by chair Matt Kean.
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Advocacy groups such as the Climate Council say Australia should be aiming to reach net zero by 2035 as per its commitment to the Paris Agreement.
