PM ‘won’t be lectured’ by other nations on emissions

Scott Morrison has vowed to dodge international pressure on Australia’s 2030 emissions target, saying “we won’t be lectured by others who do not understand Australia”.

Australia will reject any global mandate to shut down its resources and agricultural industries in the race to net zero, with Scott Morrison declaring he will not be “lectured” to by other world leaders or forced into pursuing “unrealistic” targets.

The Prime Minister will on Tuesday unveil his plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 ahead of next week’s critical Glasgow climate change summit.

While UK PM and summit host Boris Johnson wants developed countries to abandon coal-fired power by 2030, Mr Morrison said Australia would help its heavy industries “stay open, remain competitive and adapt, so they remain viable for as long as global demand allows”.

Writing in Tuesday’s Herald Sun, he declared he would oppose any mandate “to force closure” of industries, after days of intense negotiations with the Nationals to win their support for the 2050 target.

Mr Morrison also vowed to dodge international pressure to upgrade Australia’s 2030 target of a 26-28 per cent cut to emissions based on 2005 levels.

\Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“We won’t be lectured by others who do not understand Australia,” he said.

“At Glasgow I will update what we now believe we will achieve, demonstrating that performance is worth more than empty ambition.”

“As Bill Gates argues, forcing outcomes by 2030 with unrealistic targets can divert resources from technologies with longer lead times that will be essential to achieving 2050 objectives. So we will keep making sensible commitments and doing our best to exceed them.”

Mr Morrison said a new technology investment road map, to be released on Tuesday, was central to his plan to secure the future of Australia’s industries. It is expected to include major investments in hydrogen, electric vehicles and carbon capture and storage.

“Decisions overseas are bringing about major changes in the global economy that will impact on Australia’s future prospects, both positively and negatively,” he said.

“As Prime Minister I am determined to shield our nation from the negative impact of these changes while positioning us to take advantage of the many opportunities presented, especially for rural and regional Australia.”

On Monday, Mr Morrison confirmed the first concession he made to the Nationals by elevating Keith Pitt into cabinet, despite the Resources Minister having argued strongly against the net zero push in recent weeks.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce reportedly told colleagues on Sunday that he was personally opposed to the 2050 commitment, but he said he supported the goal “100 per cent because that is the negotiated position of the party”.

His Queensland colleague Matt Canavan said the net zero push was “madness” and vowed to “fight against it tooth and nail”.