· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Telegraph or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Australia has announced a new 2035 climate target, committing to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 62–70% from 2005 levels — the most ambitious target in the nation’s history
• The pledge comes ahead of the UN deadline for updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and includes over A$7 billion in public funding to support industrial decarbonisation and clean energy development
🔭 The context: Australia has long faced international criticism for its high per capita emissions and dependence on fossil fuel exports
• The new target, while below the 65–75% cut recommended by the government’s own Climate Change Authority and Treasury modelling, represents a sharp shift from previous climate policies
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government is also bidding to host COP31 in 2026, signalling renewed leadership ambitions on the global climate stage
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As one of the world’s largest coal and LNG exporters, Australia’s emissions pathway has outsized influence on global climate outcomes
• The new target—if backed by credible policy and enforcement—could significantly shift investment patterns, particularly in clean hydrogen, renewables, and heavy industry transition
• However, the plan’s credibility will be tested by its implementation speed, especially amid mounting climate impacts at home, such as coral bleaching and extreme flooding
⏭️ What's next: The Albanese government will submit its updated climate plan to the UN ahead of COP30 in Brazil this November
• Key initiatives include A$5 billion for industrial decarbonisation and an additional A$2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to drive down electricity prices
• Climate analysts will closely monitor regulatory updates to Australia’s safeguard mechanism and whether new fossil fuel projects align with the trajectory needed to meet the 2035 target
💬 One quote: “We’ve gone for the maximum level of ambition that is achievable.” — Chris Bowen, Australia’s Climate and Energy Minister
📈 One stat: In the worst-case scenario, heat-related deaths in Sydney could rise by 440% by 2050, according to Australia’s first national climate risk assessment
Explore carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies on Data Hub™ — the first platform designed to help sustainability providers generate sales leads!
Click for more news covering the latest on net zero and ethiccal governance
