UN chief urges Australia to aim higher as it debates climate goals

The UN’s climate chief has urged Australia to take more ambitious climate action, as debate over the country’s emissions reduction targets heats up in parliament.

“Bog standard is beneath you,” Simon Stiell told the country, arguing “colossal” economic rewards could be reaped by aiming higher.

Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030, but remains one of the world’s biggest polluters per capita and faces criticism for continuing to rely on fossil fuels.

Mr Stiell’s comments came as a bill to overturn the nation’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 was moved by an opposition MP in parliament, and the Labor government considers a new reduction target for the next decade – 2035.

Speaking at an event hosted by independent industry body the Smart Energy Council, Mr Stiell called the fresh 2035 target – due to be announced in September – a “defining moment” for Australia.

Setting these targets, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), is part of the country’s obligation under the Paris Climate Agreement.

The 2015 pledge saw world leaders agree to keep global temperatures from rising 1.5C above those of the late 19th Century.

“Go for what’s smart by going big,” Mr Stiell said, warning that a failure to do so risks eroding regional stability and living standards.

“Consider the alternative: missing the opportunity and letting the world overheat,” he added.

Just a few hours earlier, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce – who is known for his climate change skepticism – introduced legislation to wind back the country’s current net zero goals, arguing that it would have “absolutely no effect on the climate whatsoever”.

Australia has in recent years grappled with successive natural disasters, and climate experts warn that the country – along with the rest of the globe – faces a future full of similar crises unless dramatic cuts to emissions are achieved.

Joyce’s bill is all but doomed to fail, as the Labor government has a large majority in the House of Representatives and members of the National MP’s own party disagree with him.

But it is likely to increase pressure on the coalition – made up of the Liberal and National parties – as they reassess their climate and energy policies following a bruising election defeat in May.

Climate change has been a huge theme of the past few elections in Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to power in 2022, promising to take greater action, but his Labor government has been criticised for its continued support of coal and gas projects.

The country is currently seeking to co-host the UN’s COP31 climate summit with the Pacific next year.