Climate Authority Considers 65-75% Emissions Cut Target by 2035

Credit: Hon. Matt Kean FB page

Australia's Climate Change Authority is weighing an emissions reduction target of 65% to 75% by 2035, with final advice to the Albanese government expected by September following extensive public consultation.

Authority Chair Matt Kean said Tuesday the organization has received more than 500 submissions during its consultation process on the 2035 target, which will replace Australia's current commitment to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030.

"We've undertaken extensive community and industry consultation of a target between 65% and 75%," Kean told ABC Afternoon Brieifing. "We're weighing that information up against a number of other factors, including what the science requires us to do."

The target-setting process comes as President Donald Trump's policies threaten to disrupt Australia's clean energy transition. Kean cited the potential bankruptcy of U.S. battery supplier Powin, which is building the 850-megawatt Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales, as evidence of how Trump's planned repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act could affect Australian projects.

"Renew Economy this week announced that that company looks like they'll be going bankrupt by July this year because of the removal of those investment tax credits," Kean said. "That's really concerning because Powin is also supplying batteries to Queensland."

Despite such challenges, Kean emphasized Australia's economic opportunities in the global shift toward clean energy, noting the country has "some of the cheapest energy inputs anywhere in the world."

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