Australia announces lower than expected 2035 emissions reduction target

18/9/2025 11:57

Australia on Thursday set its 2035 emissions target at a reduction of 62%-70% from 2005 levels, a lower figure than initially recommended by the country's climate change authority.



The United Nations has asked countries to submit their climate plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, before the end of September so that their efforts can be assessed before the COP30 summit in November in Brazil.



Australia is one of the world's highest polluting countries per capita, largely due to its resources industry.



Its target falls below the range of 65%-75% that was modelled by the Treasury department and initially suggested by the Climate Change Authority, an independent body that advises the government on climate policy.



"The target must be two things, ambitious and achievable. A target over 70% is not achievable, that advice is clear, we have gone for the maximum level of ambition that is achievable," Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen told a news conference on Thursday.