The Liberal Party of Australia has announced its decision to abandon a net zero emissions target, after months of discussions with members and Coalition partners The Nationals.
Following a meeting of Liberal shadow ministers, Liberals leader Sussan Ley said if elected the party would to repeal Labor’s 2030 emissions reduction legislation but remain part of the Paris Agreement and set interim targets.
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Ley said while the Liberals would not aim to achieve net zero, reaching it would be a “welcome” result if it were to occur.
“We remain committed to Paris and we made it very clear—it isn’t our policy to set long-term targets, but net zero would be a welcome outcome,” Ley said.
“Our emissions reduction goals will never come at the expense of Australian families and this is the principle that will guide every decision we take.”
Earlier this month, The Nationals unanimously agreed to abandon net zero.
Leader David Littleproud said party wasn’t denying the existence of climate change or refusing to curb greenhouse emission, but would instead focus on climate adaptation instead of solely focusing on reducing emissions.
Littleproud said Australia’s emissions reduction efforts should be matched to the OECD average, which he said was about half that of Australia’s current trajectory.
The Climate Council has slammed the Coalition’s decision.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said, “This is a plan to let climate change rip. It’s deadly negligence that would leave Australians facing more fires, floods and heatwaves, while hiking up power bills for Aussie families.
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“What the Coalition is really advocating for is a more dangerous future for all Australians. More floods in Taree and Grafton, more fire seasons like Black Summer, and the demise of the Great Barrier Reef. They’ve gone from ‘I don’t hold a hose, mate’ to ‘let’s put fuel on the fire’.
“After a decade of denial, distraction and delay, the Coalition still doesn’t get it: You can’t win elections by ignoring voters who want meaningful climate action. If the Coalition keeps undermining the environment and the economy, they’re heading for net zero seats.”
