Calls for Stronger Emissions Reductions

Internal government documents reveal that the Western Australian government is preparing to abandon specific greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in its upcoming climate legislation. While the state previously proposed interim targets in a 2023 Climate Change Bill, that legislation never progressed and is being replaced by the Clean Energy Powerhouse Bill. The state government will instead implement other targets for its decarbonisation efforts (green exports, carbon capture and storage and renewable energy generation), but climate analysts argue those targets could be useless without directly addressing emissions. Australia has a nationwide target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, legislated by the federal government.

Jeff Bullen chats with Greta Carroll.