The gamechangers to boost Australia’s race to zero

The Climate Council has named 10 actions Australian governments can immediately begin to fast-track emissions reductions, tackle the energy and cost-of-living crises, and create new jobs. 

The Power Up: 10 Climate Gamechangers report is designed to provide a roadmap for the federal government to speed up its climate action in the 2020s, to ensure Australia well overshoots the 43 per cent emissions-reduction target.

According to the Climate Council many of the policy recommendations can be implemented in this term of government.  

“With the Climate Change Act passing the parliament last week, Australia finally has climate targets enshrined in law,” Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie says. “Now the hard work begins to get emissions plummeting this decade to avoid the worst climate impacts.

“We can deliver the deep, rapid emissions cuts needed to avoid a climate catastrophe while building a clean, prosperous future for all Australians. Getting cracking on expanding renewable energy and electrifying our homes and transport will also save Aussies money on their rapidly rising bills, while creating tens of thousands of new jobs for our regions.”

Experts suggest that global emissions must halve this decade if we are to avoid extremely dangerous levels of warming. 

The Climate Council’s 10 Climate gamechangers are:

1. Plug in 100 per cent renewables
2. Boost batteries for rock-solid renewable supplies, through a Renewable Energy Storage Target
3. Upskill Australians for clean trades
4. Plan ahead for coal closures so no one is left behind, with the appointment of a National Energy Transition Authority to agree closure dates and transition plans
5. Implement mandatory fuel efficiency standards as soon as possible
6. Work with states and territories to ditch diesel for renewable electric buses
7. Make new buildings net zero by 2025, and electrify established ones
8. Ensure major polluters do their fair share through a stronger Safeguard Mechanism
9. End public funding and finance for coal, gas and oil
10. Develop a comprehensive climate and energy investment plan by 2024.

“The truth is the global transition to a zero emissions future is already well under way,” McKenzie says. “Australia has a choice. We can play our part on climate action, or we can get left behind. A clean, safe and bright future is within our reach, and we have the solutions to achieve it.”

The report is available at the Climate Council website.