Election 2022: Labor won’t kowtow to methane target pledge

An Albanese government will consider whether to sign Australia up to an international pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent over the decade.

Opposition climate change spokesman Chris Bowen on Friday would not commit to the Global Methane Pledge which was supported by more than 100 countries. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

An Albanese government will consider whether to sign Australia up to an international pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent over the decade after receiving advice on how it will impact local farmers and miners.

Opposition climate change spokesman Chris Bowen on Friday would not commit to the Global Methane Pledge which was supported by more than 100 countries at the UN climate change conference in Glasgow last year, including the US, the EU, Japan and Canada.

But Mr Bowen signalled a Labor government would consider signing the pledge after consultation with international counterparts and local stakeholders.

“I’m not going to sign up to a pledge which I don’t know how will be implemented in Australia without getting further advice,” Mr Bowen told a conference held by the Australia Institute.

“There is plenty to do in relation to methane but … we weren’t consulted about the pledge.

“I look forward to talking to my international counterparts about their methane reduction programs and how Australia might participate in that. But that is not a commitment I am in a position to make without having all the evidence about what is doable in an Australian context.”

The Morrison government last year refused to sign the methane pledge and came under no criticism at the time from Mr Bowen.

Mr Bowen also ruled out increasing Labor’s 2030 target to lower emissions by 43 per cent of 2005 levels, up from the Coalition’s 26-28 per cent.

This is despite Labor coming under pressure from the Greens and Climate 200-backed independents to adopt a more ambitious climate target.

“The target we will implement are the targets we are taking to the election, which is 43 per cent,” Mr Bowen said.

“I’ve said it would be ideal to legislate those targets. But if there is not support in the parliament, and particularly in the Senate, then we will proceed to implement that target. It doesn’t actually need legislation.”

Mr Bowen said Labor’s target was formed based on its existing policies.

“The Greens can’t say that. They can’t put a modelled view on how they would achieve their targets. But we can,” Mr Bowen said.

“It is important in closing down the climate wars and ending the toxic politics that governments do what they say they are going to do.”