{"id":169948,"date":"2025-07-23T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.climatecouncil.org.au\/?post_type=resource&p=169948"},"modified":"2025-08-21T14:55:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T04:55:48","slug":"why-australias-2035-climate-target-matters","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.climatecouncil.org.au\/resources\/why-australias-2035-climate-target-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Stronger Target, Safer Future: Why Australia\u2019s 2035 Climate Target Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Albanese Labor Government\u2019s imminent decision on Australia\u2019s 2035 climate target will shape the lives of every Australian. At stake is the safety, security and prosperity of our communities and environment in a fast-heating world.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DOWNLOAD REPORT<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Australians are living with the consequences of the climate crisis. We\u2019re only half way through 2025 but, already, Australian communities have experienced back-to-back flooding in NSW and Queensland, unprecedented marine heatwaves devastating reefs in Western Australia and Queensland, a lethal algal bloom in South Australia, and deepening drought in southern Australia affecting vast areas of farming land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These climate consequences are the result of past policy failures to curb climate pollution. For decades, pollution from coal, oil and gas has been creating a blanket of heat-trapping gasses in the atmosphere, raising the global average temperature by approximately 1.3\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels. That additional heat, caused by burning fossil coal, oil and gas, is fuelling the extreme floods, heatwaves and droughts that Australians have experienced in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year marks a critical moment: under the Paris Agreement<\/a>, nations are required to submit new 2035 targets to cut climate pollution. Collectively, these targets must slash global climate pollution fast enough to keep temperature rise within internationally agreed limits \u2013 limits designed to prevent catastrophic harm to people and ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong targets are crucial to protecting Australians. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This report<\/a> provides new, detailed analysis on a scientifically credible, Paris-aligned target for Australia. It finds that net zero by 2035 is the only target available to Australia with a strong chance of contributing to holding global warming below 2\u00b0C. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the stronger Australia\u2019s 2035 target,<\/a> the better our chance of shielding Australians from escalating climate harm. Every fraction of a degree of global heating exposes Australian communities and industries to more frequent and ferocious extreme weather events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is: Australia can rise to this challenge. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several credible reports have shown that strong reductions are achievable across the economy \u2013 supported by our abundant renewable energy resources, technological capacity, and skilled workforce. Already, solar and wind are cheaper than new coal and gas. Green iron production, critical minerals and sustainable fuels offer massive economic potential. With the right policy settings, these sectors can drive regional jobs, national investment, and export strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australia now stands at a crossroads. The 2035 climate target soon to be set by the Australian Government is more than a number: it is a statement of who we are, what we value, and what kind of future we are willing to fight for.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate Council has launched a petition calling on the Australian Government to set the strongest possible 2035 climate target \u2013 and take urgent action to meet it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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sign the petition now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Key Findings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Climate change is accelerating, and current global efforts \u2013 including Australia\u2019s \u2013 are dangerously inadequate.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n