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Highlights
- Climate change has caused a surge in the frequency, intensity, and even duration of a few extreme weather conditions.
- Eastern Australian floods at the beginning of 2022 incurred losses of AU$3.35 billion
- In June 2022, the new Australian government updated the nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
Climate change impacts have been intensifying across the globe with a surge in the frequency, intensity, and even duration of a few extreme weather conditions. The entire world is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to curb global warming and maintain life-favourable conditions on earth.
Among various global-level measures for controlling ecological damage, the Paris Agreement has been a landmark development. The legally binding international treaty on climate change came into force in November 2016 after being adopted by 196 countries in December 2015. The agreement aims to restrict global warming below two degrees Celsius. Countries had to submit their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by 2020 to achieve the common goals of the agreement.
Climate scenario of Australia
In 2021-22, communities in Australia experienced damage imposed by prolonged weather events. Eastern Australia faced floods in February and March 2022, which resulted in insured losses of around AU$3.35 billion.
In the aftermath of climate events, the new Australian government updated the NDC with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat in June 2022. Australia will try to limit greenhouse gas emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030. This is an increase of 15% from the previous target, and it reassures the country’s commitment to becoming a net-zero emitter by 2050.
The change in NDCs is a positive step towards limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius. However, the government will have to update its policies after making changes in NDCs. In order to meet the new targets, Australia will need to decrease carbon emissions at an average rate of 17Mt CO2-e per year, as per the First Annual Progress Report of the Climate Change Authority of the Australian government.
Image: © Sdvor24 | Megapixl.com
Initiatives from government
The Australian government has also taken several initiatives to enhance emission reduction.
In the Powering Australia Plan, the government aims to cut power bills, boost renewable energy to reduce emissions, and create new jobs. The abundant natural resources of the country will be utilised to make it a superpower in the renewables sector. The plan is subdivided into industry, agriculture, carbon farming, electricity and transport, which will receive government support to achieve the updated NDCs.
The Emissions Reduction Fund has been created to incentivise organisations and individuals to adopt new practices and technologies. The Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme is also actively encouraging electricity generation from renewable sources.
A single national framework was created to report the status of greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, and energy consumption.
Overall status of efforts
After updating the NDCs, the ratings of Australia’s domestic efforts improved to “Almost Sufficient”. As per the Climate Action Tracker (CAT), the overall rating improved from “Highly Insufficient” to “Insufficient” based on even NDC estimation of the countries. Climate financing in Australia has a scope of improvement.
The reduction of 43% in greenhouse gas levels of 2005 will not be compatible with the target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius. Domestic reductions must reach levels at least 60% below those of 2005 by 2030.
The industry sector will still contribute to high-level emissions in 2050. Therefore, the other sectors will have to contribute to reduce the offset. Australia’s overseas activities must stop supporting fossil fuels. The previous government had a gas-led approach, but the new government will need to move away from it.
Image: © Umnat3359 | Megapixl.com
Emissions per capita in Australia are among the eight highest in the world. To improve the overall ratings, the Australian government will need to resubmit NDCs with more ambitious targets. The current strategies will not be able to attain net-zero emissions by 2050. The plans to phase out coal and reduce fossil fuel exports have not been made clear by the Australian government.
