The Federal Labor party has released its climate policy with a 2030 emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030, which Greenpeace Australia Pacific says is a missed opportunity to effectively tackle the climate crisis.Labor’s climate policy, released by Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese today, dials back the 2030 emissions reduction target that Labor took to the last Federal election.
Kate Smolski, Program Director for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said that Labor’s weak climate approach was out of touch with Australians calling for stronger climate action.
“In the midst of a climate crisis, with Australians across the country crying out for stronger climate leadership, the Federal Labor party has produced a timid emissions reduction policy that falls far short of what this country needs to avoid climate catastrophe,” she said.
“The test for Labor is not whether they can promise something a bit better than one of the worst performing governments on climate action in the world. The test for Labor is whether they can meet the urgent need to secure the future of the Australian nation and act fast to reduce the sources of pollution that are driving global warming.
“Labor has set itself apart from the Morrison Government’s complete climate obstruction, but now it needs to do much more and build on progressive climate action from states, territories and businesses.”
“In its policy proposals set out today Labor has at least recognised that renewable energy will bring enormous job creation opportunities in regional Australia, but now needs to extend its ambition to do more, faster.”
“Anthony Albanese needs to read the mood of Australians, who since the last election have suffered through the country’s worst ever bushfires, catastrophic flooding and seen further devastating bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef.
“What Australia needs now is true climate leadership, not play-it-safe political manoeuvring.”