Post: Australia can achieve net zero emissions

Australia can achieve net zero emissions

New scenario modelling by Monash University’s Climateworks Centre has shown that, with decisive and increased action across all sectors of the economy, Australia can achieve net zero emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5֯C.

The Australian Government has legislated a target of 43% below 2005 emissions by 2030. But to align with Paris goals Australia would need to urgently strengthen its 2030 target to at least 48% and ideally 68% below 2005 emissions, the scenario modelling results suggest.

Published on 14 November, the two scenarios, represent potential pathways for decarbonising Australia’s economy in line with the Paris Agreement, while meeting energy demand. To align with global ambition for well below 2°C of warming, Australia’s 2030 annual emissions would fall 48% below 2005 levels. This extends to 61% below 2005 levels by 2035, and net zero emissions by 2050. If aligned with limiting warming to 1.5°C, Australia’s 2030 emissions would reach 68% below 2005 levels. By 2035, Australia’s modelled emissions reach 85% below 2005 levels, and achieve net zero emissions by around 2039. 

The scenarios show the opportunities for industry sectors and governments to achieve these emission reductions and meet Australia’s net zero targets in line with the Paris Agreement’s global goals. In both the well-below 2°C and 1.5°C aligned scenarios, renewable energy backed up by storage makes up around 83–90% or more of electricity generation by 2030, and nearly all electricity generated in 2050.

To achieve this the report said focus is required on:

• Increasing energy efficiency and electrification of housing
• Significantly increasing the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs)  including shifting transport modes away from cars to public transport, cycling, walking and moving freight from road to rail
• Earlier and faster uptake of electrification and hydrogen technologies in the industrial and resource sectors through the 2020s and 2030s to help reduce hard-to-abate emissions
• Land management carbon sequestration practices to complement efforts to reduce emissions in other economic sectors.