The Commonwealth government says it will reach zero net emissions by 2050 through voluntary action and technology, not mandates or taxes. This is a false dichotomy. Emissions reductions in line with our international obligations require mandatory measures. Voluntary action supplements and extends mandatory measures – as it has done over the past decade.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Glasgow was right to say that Australia has reduced emissions since 2005 by as much as many and more than some other developed countries. The reductions are concentrated in two sectors in which mandatory action has been dominant and voluntary action helpful.