Parliament Updates

01 June 2023

I hosted today an international climate policy panel along with my co-chairs of parliamentary friends of climate action. We heard from U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, the U.K. High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, the EU Ambassador Gabriele Visentin, the German Ambassador Dr Markus Ederer, and Minister Bowen also addressed.

The UK has ambitious climate action, setting a world leading target of 78% emissions reduction by 2035. Under their Climate Change Act, which legally binds long-term emissions reduction targets, they're making significant investments in offshore wind power.

The EU has adopted ambitious emissions reduction targets, backed by significant funding for green technologies and initiatives. Their commitment to phasing out CO2 emitting cars, and an emissions trading scheme have positioned them as a global leader.

Germany has committed to 80% emissions reductions by 2040, achieving 80% renewable energy and phasing out gas heating from over 50% of homes by 2030.

United States of course have passed the Inflation Reduction Act last year, the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history, deploying some US$400 billion to cut carbon emissions, and dramatically incentivise investment in clean energy.

So Australia must learn from these examples, I call on the government to commit to 75% emissions reduction by 2035, and to get ambitious and accelerate our transition.