Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will soon be introducing legislation to enshrine a 2035 climate target. He is expecting to catch a warm-up pitch with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the United Nations General Assembly. This decision is a big win for the Albanese government. They have been calling out for credible climate action as the only viable way for Australia to repair severely damaged relations with Pacific Island nations.
Albanese has consistently stated that a serious commitment to climate change is the “entry fee” for credibility in the Pacific region. As the UK government nears its own deadline, it is becoming more circumspect about just how far its climate commitment should stretch.
Cautious Approach to Climate Commitments
Whatever happens, the Albanese government’s task is made much harder given it must come up with a 2035 target. The independent Climate Change Authority (CCA) previously recommended a 65-75 percent reduction on 2005 levels. A combination of political and economic factors have cooled those hopes. The Prime Minister aims to avoid any backlash from households dealing with rising power prices, making it unlikely that Australia will adopt a more ambitious target.
Albanese’s government is already in trouble with its target of 43 percent cut by 2030. A host of factors have conspired to make it challenging for them to follow through on this commitment. Specifically, delays in the rollout of large-scale renewable energy projects and global disruptions have complicated progress towards meeting these targets.
“What we’re doing is transitioning in a way that ensures that there’s energy security, that ensures that there’s community support for action.” – Anthony Albanese
This considered approach acknowledges the government’s desire to pursue bold climate ambitions without imposing undue pressures on Australian homes.
Regional Dynamics and International Relations
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been actively promoting Australia’s shifting climate stance in the Pacific region, emphasizing new commitments to combat climate change. Now Pacific leaders are increasing pressure for seismic changes. We’re pushing for a full fossil-fuel phaseout and stop to all new coal mines.
In spite of these efforts, Pacific leaders are still concerned about Australia’s commitment to taking meaningful action on climate change. Recent decisions have ignited an outcry. Approval to extend the North West Shelf gas project until 2070 makes jarring noises for Australia’s claimed bona fides in reducing its own carbon footprint.
Frank Bainimarama, the former Prime Minister of Fiji, expressed his frustration with Australia’s current trajectory. He described a recent interaction as “probably one of the most frustrating days I have ever had,” reflecting the ongoing tension between Australia and its Pacific neighbors over climate policies.
The Path Forward for Australia’s Climate Policy
Australia prepares to set its long term 2035 climate target. This decision is perhaps the boldest step taken by the Albanese government since coming to power in the May election. The administration’s emphasis on Pacific credibility highlights how international relations can shape domestic climate policy.
In 2022, the new Albanese government made one of its first brave moves by enshrining Australia’s long-term emissions reduction targets into law. The emissions cap targets progress toward net zero emissions by 2050. Huge hurdles remain. With public sentiment on energy prices and the rapidity of the renewable transition adding a big layer of uncertainty to realizing these goals.
This upcoming decision could have a tremendous impact on Australia’s environmental policies. More broadly, it will shape the country’s clout in international forums and its standing among other Pacific Island countries. As the world watches closely, the Albanese government must navigate complex challenges while striving to fulfill its commitments both domestically and internationally.
