‘Fruit will be a treat’: UN chief’s dire warning to Australia

The UN’s climate chief has warned of plummeting living standards and soaring grocery prices if the Albanese government does not lift its clean-energy ambitions.

The UN’s climate chief has warned fruit will be a “once-a-year treat” and Australia will let the world “overheat” if the Albanese government does not lift its clean-energy ambitions.

UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell, who will meet Climate Change and ­Energy Minister Chris Bowen in Canberra on Tuesday, demanded Australia not “settle for what’s easy” when enshrining its 2035 emissions target.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell prepares to speak during the Smart Energy Council event in Sydney. Picture: AFP

The top climate diplomat also warned unambitious interim targets would lead to a nosedive in Australia’s “high living standards” and make the current grocery price crisis “look like a picnic”.

“Mega-droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,” Mr Stiell told an event hosted by the Smart Energy Council in Sydney on Monday.

Simon Stiell warned unambitious interim targets would lead to a nosedive in Australia’s “high living standards”. Picture: AFP

“Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer. Bog standard is beneath you. The question is: how far are you willing to go?

“The answer is due in September – when Australia’s next national climate plan is due.”

The Albanese government will use its updated 2035 emissions reduction target as part of its final efforts to win its bid to co-host the UN COP31 climate change summit with Pacific nations next year.

Originally published as ‘Fruit will be a treat’: UN chief’s dire warning to Australia