COP26: Scott Morrison tells world leaders Australia is ahead of pack in driving down emissions

Scott Morrison spruiks his net zero emissions by 2050 target and tells world leaders ‘global momentum to tackle climate change is building’ but focus must now shift to supporting poorer countries.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison presents his national statement as part of the World Leaders' Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

Scott Morrison has told world leaders the “global momentum to tackle climate change is building”, with Australia ahead of the pack in driving down emissions without imposing economy wrecking policies.

Delivering Australia’s national statement at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, the Prime Minister said the global focus must now shift to supporting poorer countries because “raising the cost of energy just impacts those who can afford it least”.

Mr Morrison said successful climate change action must occur not only “in the developed economies of the North Atlantic but in the developing economies of the Indo-Pacific as well”.

“Cleaner technology solutions must outcompete existing technologies if they are to be successful everywhere, especially in developing economies,” Mr Morrison told the COP26 leaders’ summit.

“Technology will have the answers to a decarbonised economy, particularly over time. And achieve it in a way that does not deny our citizens, especially in developing economies, their livelihoods or the opportunity for a better quality of life.”

Spruiking the government’s net zero emissions by 2050 target, Mr Morrison said Australia’s success in slashing emissions by more than 20 per cent since 2005 - driven by world-leading take-up of rooftop solar and accelerated deployment of renewables - had not come at an economic cost.

“Over the same time, our economy has grown by 45 per cent, proving that economic growth is not at odds with emissions reduction,” he said.

“And by 2030 our nationally determined contribution here at COP26 notes that our emissions will fall by 35 per cent by 2030, far exceeding our Paris commitment.

“Australia meets and beats our commitments. And we are doubling our initial climate finance commitment for our Pacific family and South East Asian partners to $2bn.”

Mr Morrison said like the rapid development of vaccines in the fight against Covid-19, the challenge of climate change would be met through the work of scientists, technologists, engineers, entrepreneurs, industrialists and financiers.

“It is up to us as leaders of governments to back them in.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R) greet Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as they arrive at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland.

“The scene is set. Global momentum to tackle climate change is building. Countries with net zero commitments cover over 80 per cent of world GDP. In Australia’s case, 90 per cent of our exports are to countries with net zero commitments.”

“Our researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and most importantly our people are ready. The Australian way is to bet on them — and we think that’s a good bet.”

Mr Morrison also outlined the importance of international collaboration and partnerships and high-integrity international carbon offsets to help achieve net zero emissions globally.

“Driving the emergence of low-emissions technologies and fostering their widespread adoption is at the heart of our plan to reach net zero.”

“That’s why we’ve set cost targets for clean hydrogen, low cost solar, low carbon steel and aluminium, energy storage, carbon capture and storage and soil carbon.”