In the year to March 2025, national greenhouse emissions fell by 1.4 per cent, putting Australia on track for its 2030 commitment to the United Nations climate treaty, the government says.
Under the Paris Agreement, Australia is committed to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030. So far it has cut by 28 per cent.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said Australia is “on track” to achieving its emissions reduction goals.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory said the fall in emissions for the year was equivalent to 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, mostly because of renewable energy generation, industrial decarbonisation under the Safeguard Mechanism, and a decline in demand for household gas.
Across Australia’s two main grids, renewable energy has now reached over 40 per cent of all energy produced in the last financial year.
However, transport emissions continued their post-COVID rise as the use of road diesel and domestic aviation fuel reached record levels. The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is projected to reduce transport emissions.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the government’s climate and energy policies were working to drive down emissions across the economy, and the installation of home batteries since its subsidy program began on July 1 would have additional impact.
“We are on track to achieve our emissions reduction goals if we stay the course and continue to lift our efforts,” Bowen said.