Australia's insufficient target "baffling" in light of its climate risk assessment

The Australian government's new 2035 target simply doesn't match the level of action required to stave off many of the extreme climate change impacts warned Australians about in this week's Climate Risk Assessment, says Climate Analytics. 

CEO and Senior Scientist Bill Hare: 

"It is baffling that in the same week, the government could release a terrifying document warning Australian's of a grim future if global warming continues and exceeds 1.5°, with many impacts doubling if warming gets to 2°C,  then turn round and agree a target that, if all others followed with similar action, would lead to at least 2° warming globally."

"If anything, the Climate Risk Assessment calls for stronger action, in line with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit, one of the warming levels it considers along with 2°C and 3°C, which is close to where the government's is heading under the policies it has in place right now." 

"A 1.5˚C compatible 2035 target would be the kind of action you expect from a developed country wanting to co-host the global climate talks next year with its vulnerable Pacific Island neighbours. That target falls well short of this: a 1.5˚C aligned target, according to our analysis, should be at least 76% below 2005 levels.

"The government has aligned its projections with its insufficient 2030 target, which it hasn't improved, and which it may largely meet through creative accounting around projected carbon sequestration in the land and forestry (LULUCF) sector.  Australia needs to cut its emissions at a pace associated with a 1.5°C compatible emission reduction pathway and that properly aligns with bringing emissions to net zero by 2050 in Australia.  This requires strong government policy action now.

"Without a 1.5° aligned 2035 target, there is insufficient incentive for the government to push ambitious policies. This would, ultimately, benefit a fossil fuel industry keen to keep business as usual."