Anthony Albanese tells global leaders he wants Australia to be a ‘clean energy superpower’

The prime minister has laid out his ambitions for climate action in Australia at a forum of world leaders.

Australia will “once again be a trusted global leader on climate action,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told a global economic forum convened by US President Joe Biden.

Announcing Australia’s new 43 per cent emissions cut target for the year 2030 to the Advanced Economies Forum online late on Friday night, Mr Albanese said his ambition was for Australia to be a “clean energy superpower”.

With the current power crisis sparking concerns about Australia’s energy mix, Mr Albanese said 82 per cent of Australia’s National Energy Market would come from renewable sources by the end of the decade – a massive jump from the current 32 per cent ratio.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a new 43 per cent emissions cut target for the year 2030. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In a short but significant speech, Mr Albanese revealed the government would seek to legislate the 2030 emissions targets “to provide certainty to Australian businesses and industries,” with legislation to be introduced into parliament in July.

State and territory leaders backed the new targets – up from the 26-28 per cent Australia had committed to under the Paris Agreement in 2015 – at a meeting of National Cabinet on Friday.

The government would also deliver a National Electric Vehicle Strategy, and would consult with stakeholders on how Australia could reduce its methane emissions, Mr Albanese said.

About 100 nations signed a pledge at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow last November to slash methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, but Australia was not one of them.

US President Joe Biden convened the forum. Picture: AFP

Methane is Australia’s second-most prevalent greenhouse gas, but its effects are considered far more damaging than carbon dioxide.

Methane emissions come from a wide variety of sources – from mining processes to the farts and belches of cattle.

Mr Albanese said Australia was “undertaking new research and partnering with industry to reduce our methane emissions, and we look forward to sharing our expertise in support of this collective effort”.

He also foreshadowed the government would work with the maritime and aviation sectors to help decrease their emissions.

Mr Albanese told forum attendees the Australian people “voted for strong action on climate change” at the May 21 election.

“Australia is committed to working closely with countries in the Pacific to achieve an ambitious international response to the climate crisis,” Mr Albanese said.

“Australia will once again be a trusted global partner on climate action. We will do our part.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese tells global leaders he wants Australia to be a ‘clean energy superpower’