Rachel Urquhart
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has delivered the Australian Government’s first Annual Climate Change Statement, sharing progress and plans as the country works toward 2030 and 2050 emissions targets.
The statement is a requirement of the Climate Change Act 2022, which Government says will provide “accountability and transparency” and the opportunity to engage with Australians on climate policy and demonstrate progress.
It highlights a dual mission: to “anticipate, prepare for and adapt to the impacts from our warming climate”, and to “mitigate further catastrophic climate change by reducing our own emissions”.
The statement outlines annual progress toward Australia’s emissions reduction targets, as well as the economic, environmental, and social impacts and risks of climate change, the global context, and domestic policies.
It also covers the impact of climate change policies on rural and regional Australia – including the social, employment and economic benefits – as well as the risks associated with climate change impacts, particularly to environment, biodiversity, health, infrastructure, agriculture, investment, economy or national security.
Minister Bowen says the first Annual Statement shows Australia has much work to do to reduce emissions by 43 per cent.
“The first-ever Annual Climate Change Statement shows we are on the right track, but it is also a wake-up call for the nation to do more,” says Minister Bowen.
“Reducing emissions by 43 per cent is an ambitious target and we are going to need a collective effort and determination across all of the economy to meet our goal.”
The Climate Change Act 2022 also requires that the Climate Change Authority provide independent advice to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy relating to the Annual Statement. Annual Statements must be prepared having regard to the Climate Change Authority’s advice.
Read the full First Annual Climate Change Statement.
Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash.
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