New Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday June 16 that he had officially written to the UN to announce a significant increase in greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, confirming a change in his country’s climate policy. The head of the new centre-left government specified that this objective would go from a reduction of 26-28% to 43% by 2030, as promised in his electoral programme. This more ambitious goal “preparing Australia for a prosperous future, a future driven by cleaner and cheaper energy”he pleaded, wishing that Australia “seize the opportunity to act on climate change”.
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At the end of May, Australia announced that it would present “very soon” more ambitious targets for greenhouse gas emissions. Foreign Minister Penny Wong then admitted that Australia had “neglected his responsibility” in the past and that Canberra did“would ignore” plus calls from Pacific nations to act on climate change. “We were elected on an emissions reduction program (greenhouse gases) of 43% by 2030 and neutrality (carbon) achieved by 2050”she added. “And these are not just words, we will enshrine it in law and very soon we will submit a new contribution at the national level to the UNFCCC” (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), she promised.
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Under the previous Conservative government, Australia – one of the world’s largest coal and gas exporters – regularly played spoilsport in international climate negotiations. The climatoscepticism displayed by the previous Australian Prime Minister had soured relations between Canberra and its neighbors and allies in the Pacific, a region where China is seeking to extend its influence. Devastating wildfires and record flooding in Australia have highlighted the country’s vulnerability to the consequences of global warming.