The Nationals’ decision to scrap its net zero commitment it agreed to as part of the Coalition in 2021 would be detrimental for Australian farmers and regional communities impacted by worsening climate conditions, the Climate Council says.
The Nationals want to ditch the targets in favour of matching Australia’s emissions reduction efforts with the OECD average, which party leader David Littleproud says is equivalent to about half of Australia’s current trajectory.
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The Nationals claim their shift from net zero has nothing to do with climate denial.
Climate Council research data shows that abandoning net zero would reduce economic output by $135-423 billion by 2063 and increase government spending on disaster recovery up to seven times by 2090.
Considering the cost of the 2022 Lismore floods was $6.4 billion alone, this would be catastrophic for regional communities impacted by floods, fires, drought or storms.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said abandoning net zero means abandoning a safer future for Australians.
“In the real world, a net zero backflip aligns with more than 3°C of global heating that would cost farmers and regional towns billions of dollars in damage,” McKenzie said.
“It means worsening, climate-driven floods, fires and heatwaves. Communities will pay a high price, particularly in the regions.
“The Nationals must explain how they’ll pay for the soaring insurance premiums, recovery bills and freight costs when escalating disasters strike regional communities.”
Ditching net zero targets would make more than 1.3 million Australian homes (8.8%) likely uninsurable by 2100, according to Climate Council research.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen told the ABC the Nationals had “betrayed” regional Australia.
“We know regional Australia has the most to lose from the impacts of climate change … and regional Australia has the most to gain from taking action,” he said.
“Renewables are not only keeping the lights on as aging coal plants retire, but they’re creating jobs and new revenue right across regional Australian communities.”
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Western Australian cropper Kit Leake said losing net zero would turn away the many buyers passionate about the targets.
“We as farmers are doing our best to deal with climate change, and so should all other industries have to.”
