Australia Sets Ambitious New Emissions Reduction Target for 2035

Tue Oct 21 2025 15:56:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a bold move to combat climate change, Australia has announced a target to cut carbon emissions by 62% by 2035, a significant increase from previous commitments. This decision follows a stark warning on the urgent need for action against climate-related disasters.

Australia has announced plans to cut its carbon emissions by at least 62% by 2035, significantly ramping up previous goals and responding to international guidelines. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that this target, backed by scientific support and realistic plans using proven technology, is essential as the nation faces severe climate impacts. This commitment aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement and addresses Australia's history as a major polluter. Despite the ambitious plans, the target faces political division domestically.

Australia, regarded as one of the world's largest per capita polluters, is set to cut its carbon emissions by a minimum of 62% compared to 2005 levels by the year 2035. This announcement represents a notable shift in the nation's climate policy, especially as it has been criticized internationally for its ongoing dependence on fossil fuels.

Previously, Australia had committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated upon announcing the new target, This is a responsible target supported by science and a practical plan to get there, built on proven technology. This announcement comes in light of a risk assessment that warned of increasingly extreme weather patterns due to anthropogenic climate change.

The new emissions reduction target aligns with Australia’s obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement. The Climate Change Authority of Australia recommended an emission reduction benchmark of between 62% and 70%, which influenced this revised goal. Albanese is set to reaffirm this commitment during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

The Paris Climate Agreement aims to limit global temperature rises to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Australia, like many nations, has encountered significant climate-related phenomena in recent years, including severe droughts, devastating bushfires, and historic flooding.

Significant coral bleaching events at the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef have also been attributed to rising sea temperatures. A recent report highlighted that Australia has already surpassed the critical 1.5-degree mark, emphasizing that no community will be insulated from escalating climate risks. It warned of potential increases in heatwave-related fatalities, diminished water quality, and rising sea levels threatening approximately 1.5 million residents. Financial implications are dire, with estimates suggesting a drop in property values by A$611 billion ($406 billion; £300 billion) without stronger action from the government.

Despite these pressing concerns, Australia's climate strategy and the pathway to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 remain contentious topics. The opposing Liberal National coalition is revisiting its stance on the net-zero target, asserting resistance amid calls from various parliamentarians, including independents and Greens members, for more rapid reductions in emissions.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has expressed firm opposition to the new emissions target, arguing it lacks credibility and economic viability. Following Albanese’s election in 2022, his government set more ambitious climate targets, in stark contrast to the previous regime's goals of a mere 26% to 28% reduction.

While striving to transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower, the government has faced backlash for continuing to greenlight fossil fuel projects. A recent decision to allow Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project to operate until 2070 has sparked condemnation from climate experts and environmental advocates, which has been described by Greens MP Larissa Waters as a betrayal of Labor's climate commitments.