ISTANBUL<\/p>\n
Australia is estimated to miss its 2030 climate target by a small margin while badly missing its 2035 target if no significant changes are made, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said Thursday.<\/p>\n
During his annual climate statement to parliament, Bowen said it was normal “for there to be a gap between projected emissions and a target 10 years in the future,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.<\/p>\n
“As new policies are developed and implemented, the emissions outlook improves. That’s what a target is for — to drive new initiatives and work,” Bowen added.<\/p>\n
According to the Environment Department, Australia is on track to achieve a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030, falling 1% short of the legislated target.<\/p>\n
However, Australia is projected to fall far short of its 2035 target to cut emissions by 62-70% over the decade, with current projections predicting a reduction of only 48%.<\/p>\n
Despite the bleak projections, Australia is still expected to meet its international obligations for this decade, staying within the cumulative carbon emissions budget set under the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n
Australia has cut emissions by 28.5% since 2005, according to the figures released Thursday.<\/p>\n
“While the 2035 target is ambitious and achievable, it is not yet being achieved,” Bowen said, adding that climate change cannot be ignored.<\/p>\n
“We cannot ignore it. And we can’t give up and say it’s all too hard,” he said.<\/p>\n
Greens leader Larissa Waters said the government remained “nowhere near” its climate goals.<\/p>\n
“These are diabolical pollution numbers that suggest we are on track for cataclysmic climate change,” Waters said.<\/p>\n
The Conservative Liberal\u2013National Coalition recently formally abandoned its commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal it said has been contributing to rising power prices.<\/p>\n