Federal Government must commit to net zero by 2035 to protect Australians from climate chaos

Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to set a science-based 2035 emissions reduction target that aligns with the Paris Agreement – one that means achieving close to net zero by 2035. Anything less will fail to keep global heating within safe limits and put Australian lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems at risk.

Under the Paris Agreement, nations must submit new 2035 targets this September. To prevent catastrophic harm and keep warming well below 2°C, net zero by 2035 is the only target with a strong chance of success. Analysis shows that a target below a 75% emissions reduction by 2035 would lock in warming beyond 2°C.

Global heating has already reached around 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels, fuelling climate disasters that cost Australians over $2.2 billion in the first half of 2025 alone. If pollution levels remain high, climate-fuelled disasters are projected to cost the Australian economy $94 billion a year by 2060 and many Australian homes could become uninsurable.

Director of EnvA, Dr Coral Rowston, said:

“The decision on Australia’s 2035 climate target and the path to achieve the target  will shape the lives of every Australian.

“The Albanese Government knows this from the ‘yet to be released’ national climate risk assessment which has been described as “scary and confronting – with every system to be hit hard by climate change in the future.”

“We’re already living with the consequences of a warming world – repeated devastating floods, the bleaching of the Great Barrier and Ningaloo Reefs, algal blooms, and increasing insurance and food costs.

“The science is clear: the longer we delay deep cuts, the steeper and costlier the pathway becomes.

“Australia, as one of the world’s largest fossil fuel exporters, has a responsibility to act. This means no new or expanded coal and gas projects in support of global action to slash climate pollution.

“The cost of bold action now is far less than the cost of unchecked climate damage. The Albanese Government must choose a future that safeguards our communities, our economy, and our environment.”

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