Australia’s Net Zero Initiatives

Forkan Ali

Bypassing the Albanese government’s Climate Change Bill in the Senate, “the legislation puts Australia on a credible path to net zero,” said Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.[1] The Australian Government has now on board with more than ten global partners including the USA who determined the world’s first Net Zero Initiative at COP27, committing to governments around the world to “lead by example” and accomplish Net Zero emissions across their operations.[2] Establishing a new Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is one of the several bold initiatives that the government has set out already. The Australian government has strengthened and legislated its emissions cutbacks target of 43% by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050. To achieve these goals, initially about the $21 billion investment fund was proposed (see Figure 5). To kick start, the government invests $7.1 million in transitioning the Australian Public Service to Net Zero through the following measures:

·      Directing enhanced energy efficiency of government property through a growing renewable energy supply

·      Government spending power to act on climate change and support energy schemes through the Buy Australian Plan

·      Re-establishing public coverage of government emissions to track improvement to the target.

An additional amount of $15.9 million has been budgeted over 4 years for reaching the low emissions transportation target for the Commonwealth Fleet by 2025, including new passenger transport buys and leases. This initiative excludes Defence and security agencies.
Both the targets, as stated by the government, are economy-wide emissions cutback pledges that cover all sectors and gases included in Australia’s national inventory. The updated 2030 target which is s significant ambition to deduct emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 puts Australia on track to reach the Net Zero Emissions target by 2050 (UNFCCC 2022).[3] The government is on the way to implementing a considerably large suite of new policies across the economy to Net Zero interventions since the new 2030 target is dependent on the modelled impact of these policies. The government is working straightaway to maximize the emissions deduction impact as well as financial benefits while it guides the Australian industry with a comprehensive and consistent policy framework. Australia’s Net Zero policies include the following sectors (see Figure 5):

-Further $100 million for 10,000 energy apprentices

-More $10 million for new energy skills program

Additional $300 million for community batteries and solar bank.

Australia’s Net Zero interventions are comprised of some of the demanding sector’s renovation where a national Net Zero transportation system such as the National Electric Vehicle Strategy has been created to lessen emissions and quicken the uptake of electric vehicles.  Details about Net Zero transport planning and policies are discussed in a later section.

[1] Australia Government (2022). Australia legislates emissions reduction targets. Media Release, 08 Sep 2022. https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-legislates-emissions-reduction-targets. Accessed on 29 November 2022.

[2] Australia Government (2022). Australia joins international Net Zero Government Initiative. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/australia-joins-international-net-zero-government-initiative. Accessed on 29 November 2022.

[3] UNFCCC (2022). Australian NDC Communication 2022. https://unfccc.int/NDCREG. Accessed on 29 Nov 2022.