Australia not on track to meet 2030 climate targets targets: CCA

Australia will not meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets without addressing concerns from communities over renewable energy infrastructure being built near their homes and fast-tracking approvals for renewable energy projects.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

The Climate Change Authority has warned the Albanese government is “not yet on track to meet its 2030 targets”, as Energy Minister Chris Bowen rebuffed the body’s recommendations to phase out gas connections and the sale of petrol cars.

The statutory body released its annual report on Thursday and predicted Australia was on track to lower its emissions by 37 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030 – well short of the government’s 43 per cent commitment.

The report shows greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 0.8 per cent in the year to June, driven by a 7.8 per cent surge in the carbon footprint of the transport sector.

CCA chief executive Brad Archer said the government needed to do more to address concerns from communities over renewable energy infrastructure being built near their homes.

“Renewables have been rolling out at a fast rate, but we have to go even faster, all around Australia, to hit the 82 per cent target,” Mr Archer said.

“Communities are also raising concerns about the broader environmental impacts of renewable energy infrastructure in the vicinity of their homes and communities,” he added.

“The government has to navigate and address these concerns in a way that demonstrates to these communities how they, and Australia, will benefit in the long term.”

Mr Bowen told parliament the recently expanded Capacity Investment Scheme – which was not included in the CCA’s projections – had put the nation on track to lower emissions by 42 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030.

Opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien accused the government of seeking to downplay the fact that emissions had risen under Labor’s watch.

“You are driving emissions in the wrong direction,” he said.

The CCA made 42 recommendations to government, which included designing a plan with states to reach the 82 per cent renewables target, developing a time frame to retire fossil fuel generators, financially supporting farmers to reduce their emissions, expediting the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act assessment process for large-scale renewable energy projects and providing incentives to ensure sufficient renewable energy storage.

While accepting, accepting-in-principle or noting 39 of the CCA’s recommendations, Labor rejected three of them: the phasing out of new gas connections, the effective ban of petrol vehicles after 2040, and a study on fuel efficiency standards for heavy vehicles.

“The government does not support a national ban on gas connections to new homes. We are empowering Australians with choices, like those offered in our $1.7bn Energy Savings Package,” Mr Bowen said.

“We haven’t set specific net zero targets for individual sectors and it would be premature to set a target for new light vehicles,” he added.

“We are focused on how to get the best, most fuel-efficient vehicles to Australians so they have real choices and save on petrol.”

While the Australian Pipeline and Gas Association applauded the government for giving Australians the choice over whether or not to retain gas fittings in their homes, the Greens and independents – including NSW teal MP Allegra Spender – slammed Labor for a “lack of courage” in moving to end gas connections.

The Australian Conservation Foundation said despite the fact that emissions were going down in the electricity sector, such gains were being off set by transport and agriculture emissions.

“Climate emissions from transport are a big problem,” the foundation’s chief executive, Kelly O’Shanassy, said.

“The government has made some positive strides on supporting electric vehicle uptake, but it must stop dragging its heels on fuel efficiency standards.”