Australia has set a bold new goal for the next decade: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 62%-70% from 2005 levels by 2035. After months of deliberation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the target, calling it a “responsible” and practical balance of ambition and realism. Ministers say this target will protect the environment and drive new investment in clean energy.
However, as soon as it was unveiled, reactions at home split along familiar lines. Critics lamented that 70% was the upper bound and called for deeper cuts, while others praised the government for setting a clear interim goal on the road to net zero. In any case, the announcement has sparked a high-stakes debate about Australia’s climate future.
Range Of Reactions At Home
Environmental groups were quick to cry foul. Shiva Gounden of Greenpeace warned that choosing sub-70% cuts was “an affront to communities across the Pacific” already facing climate danger. WWF-Australia’s CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the target is “dangerously short of what the science demands.”
Opposition politicians joined the chorus, arguing that the government must explain exactly how it plans to reach the numbers and what the cost will be for ordinary people. Many climate advocates had lobbied for a 75% or higher target to align with international commitments.
On the other side, some industry voices quietly welcomed the compromise. Several trade groups had warned that overly aggressive targets could raise energy prices and cost jobs. Labour’s climate minister, Chris Bowen, stressed that “a target over 70% is not achievable” with current technology and advice.
He argued that the government has “gone for the maximum level of ambition that is achievable” in practice. In other words, 62% is the floor, 70% the ceiling, and much work is needed to hit anywhere in between. By framing it this way, the government aimed to hold both climate and industrial stakeholders to the commitment, rather than promise an unachievable maximum.
Fossil Fuels Vs Clean Energy
The debate highlights a core tension. Australia’s economy is still heavily tied to coal and gas. Despite the new target, the government recently approved an extension of a major gas project (a move that angered Pacific neighbours and environmentalists alike).
Critics say continuing to export fossil fuels undermines any domestic cuts. Domestically, many coal-fired power plants still have no fixed retirement dates. Experts warn that without clear timelines to phase out coal and curb gas use, the 2035 target could be missed.
Stephanie Bashir of Nexa Advisory put it bluntly: “Talks of extensions of ageing coal power stations rattle the market” and delay renewable investments.
On the other hand, Canberra is trying to sweeten the deal with clean-energy dollars. In tandem with the target, the government announced AUD 5 billion for decarbonising heavy industries and AUD 2 billion for its Clean Energy Finance Corporation to fund renewable projects.
There are also new incentives for electric vehicles and grid upgrades. These measures are meant to turn emissions cuts into an economic opportunity. In fact, independent modelling shows a 65% cut, right in the middle of the range, could add AUD 2.2 trillion to the economy by 2050, make every Australian AUD 36,000 richer on average, and create around 5.1 million jobs.
Even the Treasury says an “orderly transition to net zero is a golden economic opportunity” for Australia. In short, if the government pairs the new target with smart policy, it could ignite a renewable boom.
International Context
How does 62-70% by 2035 compare globally? It depends on what baseline you use. Australia’s target is measured from 2005, a year when emissions were high. Many other countries use 1990. On that basis, the UK’s new 2035 goal is an 81% cut, Norway’s is about 70-75%.
The European Union (EU) has hinted at similarly deep cuts for 2035 but hasn’t finalised its number. Albanese noted that the announced range is broadly consistent with what peers like the EU are aiming for. One advantage of giving a range rather than a single figure is flexibility. The progress can be steeper if technology allows, or flatter if difficulties arise.
Regionally, the message is also important. Pacific Island leaders have long pleaded with Australia for stronger climate action. The new target (and Australia’s bid to host the next COP summit) seems intended to soothe some of those concerns.
As the Prime Minister put it, “We are not the biggest polluter or the biggest economy, but our commitment to action on climate change matters to our neighbours and our children.” By explicitly tying ambition to scientific advice, Canberra is sending a signal that it still takes Paris climate goals seriously.
The Road Ahead
The government has said it will soon unveil “sectoral decarbonisation plans” for industries like electricity, transport, and agriculture, and possibly new interim goals for 2027 or 2030. Analysts warn that to meet even the low end of 62%, Australia will need to accelerate solar and wind build-out, upgrade the grid, invest in green hydrogen, and show how it will move away from coal and gas generation. If those policies are strong, the range could drive innovation. For example, Chinese manufacturers of wind turbines and batteries have already boosted local investment in anticipation.
Domestically, the politics remain fraught. The Coalition opposition is pressing for details on costs and has mocked any hint of higher targets as unrealistic. Grassroots climate groups are planning protests if they perceive backsliding. Meanwhile, key swing voters, families worried about living costs, will be watching whether electricity prices rise or fall in the coming years.
In the end, the question is whether Australia’s compromise target can translate into real emission cuts. If policymakers can leverage the economic benefits and if clean energy wins out over fossil fuels, then the 2035 goal could mark a turning point.
As Minister Bowen likes to say, every extra percentage of cuts today means less warming tomorrow. Only time will tell if this 62-70% pledge can turn into cleaner air, stronger industries, and a safer planet for future Australians.