Overview

• Simon Stiell described the 2035 target as a defining moment and urged a 65–75% emissions reduction to secure investment, jobs and national security.
• The government is awaiting the Climate Change Authority’s formal advice, which recommended cutting emissions by at least 65% from 2005 levels by 2035.
• Critics argue the May approval of the nation’s largest gas plant to operate until 2070 calls Australia’s climate commitment into question.
• Wood Mackenzie projected that state-level rollbacks, grid connection delays and low investment will leave Australia short of its 82% renewable energy goal for 2030.
• Experts warned that a weak target could erode living standards and destabilize Pacific and Southeast Asian neighbours vulnerable to climate impacts.