CLP backflips on 2030 emissions reduction target

The Territory government has backflipped on its emissions reduction election commitment, amid growing party pressure to scrap net-zero ambitions.

Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Fia Walsh.

The Northern Territory government has quietly scrapped its 2030 emissions reduction, backflipping on a promise it took to last year’s election.

Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said the government remained committed to net zero by 2050 and the Paris Agreement – despite rank-and-file Country Liberals voting to abandon those policies at the weekend.

During budget estimates hearings on Wednesday Mr Burgoyne confirmed that a 43 per cent reduction target in the NT’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 was no longer CLP policy.

Mr Burgoyne argued the Territory was a “relatively small emitter” and needed to be able to make the most of “opportunities”, such as gas development in the Beetaloo Basin.

“It is important that when we talk about emissions, and we look at what we are trying to achieve, we look holistically,” he said.

“The Northern Territory can assist other states and countries around the world to move away from this form of burning energy, which means that it is dirtier and it produces more emissions than burning gas.

“As a jurisdiction that only emits five per cent of the emissions in all of Australia, we must do our part but also take up the opportunities that present themselves.”

NT CLP Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

On the weekend the CLP Central Council passed motions in support of abandoning Australia’s net zero emissions target, and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Announcing the news on Facebook, CLP Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said stewardship of the environment “should not come at the cost of our economy and way of life”.

“The current impact of these policies does not justify their burden on everyday Aussies, and it’s high time we did something about it,” she said.

Asked whether the NT government would adopt that policy line, Mr Burgoyne told estimates there had been “no formal information provided by my department in regard to a change about net zero”.

Environment Centre NT executive Director Kirsty Howey. Picture: Rebecca Parker

Environment Centre NT said it was “alarmed” by the Territory CLP’s “tone-deaf” response to climate change.

“Saying climate change is an “opportunity” is tone-deaf and insulting to Territorians who are struggling with rising energy costs and already feeling the impacts of climate change,” executive director Kirsty Howey said.

“This is more than a broken promise – abandoning our climate targets is like pouring petrol on a fire.

“You can’t claim to be serious about climate change while fast-tracking new gas projects like fracking in the Beetaloo and the Middle Arm gas and petrochemical hub, and abandoning emissions targets completely.

“Without immediate action to slash emissions, Darwin and much of the Territory will become unlivable within decades.”

Originally published as CLP backflips on 2030 emissions reduction target