Tackling climate change was a key focus of the talks among Pacific-rim leaders in Lima. --APEC Peru

Anthony Albanese unlikely to detail new emissions target before next federal election

(ABC) -- Anthony Albanese looks increasingly unlikely to detail his government’s new emissions target ahead of the next federal election, resisting calls to follow other world leaders in setting a 2035 target.
The prime minister has just completed his final day in Lima, Peru, where he has been meeting with the leaders of Pacific-rim nations for the APEC summit.
He has used the forum as a chance to talk up Australia’s potential to be a renewable energy super-power that is rich in the resources needed to drive the green economy.
But speaking with the ABC’s Insiders program, Mr Albanese refused to commit to announcing the 2035 target ahead of the election, only promising to do it “sometime next year”.
“Our focus is on achieving the 2030 target because 2030 comes before 2035,” he said.
“Voters do know exactly what we’re doing — 43 percent by 2030, a target of net zero by 2050, 82 percent renewables by 2030.
“You not only know what we’re going to do but how we’re going to get there.”
Tackling climate change has been a key focus of the talks in Lima and is slated to be high on the agenda when Mr Albanese meets with the leaders of the world’s largest economies for a two-day G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the coming days.
British Prime Minister Keir Stamer this week committed his government to cutting emissions by 81 percent by 2035, insisting it could be achieved without telling people how to live their lives.
Under the Paris Climate Accords, Australia too is expected to set a 2035 target next year.
US president-elect Donald Trump has loomed large over the APEC summit, having pledged to tear up Democrat Joe Biden’s signature climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act.
Mr Albanese told the ABC that could create opportunities for Australia.
“There’s a first-mover advantage,” he said.
“When there is a change, sometimes an opportunity comes as well.
“One of the things we’ve seen is considerable capital flow to the United States as a direct result of the policies that have been in place.
“Now, if those policies change, then obviously the economics change [in terms of] investment and incentives and attractiveness.”

(Latest Update November 15, 2024)