Metaculus

When will Australia have no coal-fired power plants in its National Electricity Market?

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"[C]limate change is just a very, very expensive form of tax."

"I believe in climate change caused by human beings. What I'm skeptical about is the glib notion that it means the end of the world as we know it."

"The clock is no longer just ticking, it is banging."

"There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change."

"The time for seeking global solutions [to climate change] is running out."

"The climate crisis is the existential threat. That's not hyperbole; it's a fact."

"[W]e are killing our planet."

Climate change is "above all, an existential crisis."

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges mankind faces."

"If we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon."

"Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast."

"We haven't yet exceeded the bounds of viable human civilisation, but we're getting close."

Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?

The Australian government announced on Thursday a new 2035 emissions reduction target of 62-70% below 2005 levels, based on independent advice from the Climate Change Authority (CCA), which considered over 500 submissions and conducted more than 560 meetings.

Sky News Australia

The Guardian

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Australia

The Australian government announced on Thursday a new 2035 emissions reduction target of 62-70% below 2005 levels, based on independent advice from the Climate Change Authority (CCA), which considered over 500 submissions and conducted more than 560 meetings.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accepted the CCA’s recommendation after meetings with Cabinet and the Parliamentary Labor Party Caucus, and described the target as responsible, backed by science and achievable with proven technology.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accepted the CCA’s recommendation after meetings with Cabinet and the Parliamentary Labor Party Caucus, and described the target as responsible, backed by science and achievable with proven technology.

In its report, the CCA stated the target requires, among other suggestions, halving current emissions levels, doubling Australia’s decarbonisation rate, quadrupling wind capacity, tripling large-scale solar and ensuring electric vehicles account for half of new car sales between now and 2035.

Australia Climate Change Authority

In its report, the CCA stated the target requires, among other suggestions, halving current emissions levels, doubling Australia’s decarbonisation rate, quadrupling wind capacity, tripling large-scale solar and ensuring electric vehicles account for half of new car sales between now and 2035.

To support the transition, the government committed AU$8.275 billion in new funding, including AU$5 billion for a Net Zero Fund within the National Reconstruction Fund, AU$2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and AU$1.1 billion to encourage domestic clean fuel production.

Australian Financial Review

To support the transition, the government committed AU$8.275 billion in new funding, including AU$5 billion for a Net Zero Fund within the National Reconstruction Fund, AU$2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and AU$1.1 billion to encourage domestic clean fuel production.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley rejected the target as lacking credibility and proper costings, while Greens leader Larissa Waters called it a betrayal that capitulates to coal and gas corporations.</span

SBS News

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley rejected the target as lacking credibility and proper costings, while Greens leader Larissa Waters called it a betrayal that capitulates to coal and gas corporations.

The target requires halving current emissions levels, quadrupling wind capacity, tripling large-scale solar, and having electric vehicles account for half of new car sales between now and 2035 according to analysis.</span

The target requires halving current emissions levels, quadrupling wind capacity, tripling large-scale solar, and having electric vehicles account for half of new car sales between now and 2035 according to analysis.

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Labor's weak target abandons the science and sells out future generations to appease fossil fuel interests. Climate experts demanded at least 75% to align with 1.5°C warming limits, yet Labor chose the bare minimum that protects coal and gas profits over people's safety. The government's own climate risk report warns 1.5 million Australians face displacement from sea level rise, yet this inadequate target guarantees those catastrophic outcomes. Real climate action means ending fossil fuel exports, not protecting a $100 billion coal industry while communities suffer.

Labor's weak target abandons the science and sells out future generations to appease fossil fuel interests. Climate experts demanded at least 75% to align with 1.5°C warming limits, yet Labor chose the bare minimum that protects coal and gas profits over people's safety. The government's own climate risk report warns 1.5 million Australians face displacement from sea level rise, yet this inadequate target guarantees those catastrophic outcomes. Real climate action means ending fossil fuel exports, not protecting a $100 billion coal industry while communities suffer.

Australian Greens

Australian Greens #

Labors utter failure of a climate target is a massive win for coal and gas corporations

Australia Election Issue: Climate Change

Australia Sets 2035 Climate Target at 62-70% Emissions Cut

Headlines

Australia

Climate change

This target represents Australia's maximum achievable ambition while maintaining economic growth and job creation. The independent Climate Change Authority conducted rigorous analysis of every economic sector and determined that anything above 70% simply isn't feasible with current technology and policies. Treasury modelling proves an orderly transition will deliver $36,000 more per person by 2050 and create millions of jobs, while delay would cost the economy trillions. Australia leads globally with this science-based approach that balances environmental protection with economic prosperity.

This target represents Australia's maximum achievable ambition while maintaining economic growth and job creation. The independent Climate Change Authority conducted rigorous analysis of every economic sector and determined that anything above 70% simply isn't feasible with current technology and policies. Treasury modelling proves an orderly transition will deliver $36,000 more per person by 2050 and create millions of jobs, while delay would cost the economy trillions. Australia leads globally with this science-based approach that balances environmental protection with economic prosperity.

Press Conference Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Treasurer Jim Chalmers And Climate Change Authority Chair Matt Kea

Australia Sets 2035 Climate Target at 62-70% Emissions Cut

Australia Sets 2035 Climate Target at 62-70% Emissions Cut

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Australia Sets 2035 Climate Target at 62-70% Emissions Cut

Australia Sets 2035 Climate Target at 62-70% Emissions Cut

The Spin

The Controversies

Trump

Michaels

Harris

Sunak

Francis

Biden

Macron

Thunberg

Merkel

Attenborough

Guterres

Mann

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

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