Net zero emissions by 2050 “achievable”, Scott Morrison says

Scott Morrison says he won’t commit to the hard energy target as his focus centres on the technology to make it happen.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his focus was on investing in the technology which reduces emissions and not the net zero 2050 target. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Scott Morrison says net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is achievable, but he will not commit to a hard energy target for the mid-century like Labor plans to at the next election.

As he prepares to release his long-touted technology road map in coming weeks, the Prime Minister said on Sunday his focus was on technology and not the net zero 2050 target.

“I’m interested in doing the things that make that happen. I think that is very achievable, but it involves making the investments we have set out for ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Council this week,” he told ABC News.

.@ScottMorrisonM refuses to commit to a net-zero emissions target by 2050.

"Because I'm more interested in the doing, David." #auspol #insiders pic.twitter.com/CGCER390r1

— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) September 19, 2020

“That’s how you get there and that’s what matters because we are very focused on emissions. I believe that can be achieved but what I’m more focused on is the doing.

“We are committed to investing in the technology which reduces emissions in this country.

“Those things are achievable with the right investments in the right technology. And you won’t get there, I guarantee you this, if you are going to narrow the sorts of technologies and the sorts of solutions that you are prepared to look at which is why we want to broaden that out.”

Mr Morrison said last week he will back a new Hunter Valley gas power plant to replace the Liddell coal-fired ­station if the private sector fails to lock in investment by April.

Outlining the biggest shake-up of Australia’s east coast gas market in decades, he set a seven-month deadline for the private sector to replace the dispatchable energy lost in 2023 when Liddell closes.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister said 250 megawatts of the 1000MW Liddell’s closure will take out of the energy market needs to be filled and gas appears to be the best option.

.@ScottMorrisonM says the 250mw shortfall doesn't have to be made up with a gas plant.

"If they can produce that on the rules ... and it meets the challenges that we have with the closure of Liddell, the market should go right ahead." #insiders #auspol pic.twitter.com/X4f9Vr4eiX

— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) September 19, 2020

“A lot of people can talk projects, but they’ve got to get approved, they’ve got to be built in time, and you can get a gas-fired power station built in that time and delivered when it will

be,” he told ABC News.

“It won’t be on the wish list, it will be the on the done list, and that’s what we need to be in place. That will meet the criteria.

“If there are others who come up with a better plan and can deliver that plan in the time-frame and meet the reliability – great, tremendous. It hasn’t happened yet, though.”

Anthony Albanese committed again to a 2050 net zero target on Sunday, and accused the government’s technology roadmap of failing to lead environmental outcomes.

“It’s very clear what our destination is, all of our policies will be consistent with reaching that destination,” the Opposition Leader said in Sydney.

“The problem for the Government is that says it has a road map without a destination. And that’s a road to nowhere.”