Australia Postpones Decision on 2035 Emissions Goal After Trump's Election Win
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Canberra, Dec 22 (NationPress) The Australian government's decision regarding a 2035 emissions reduction target will be postponed in light of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections, as stated by the country's foremost climate agency.
Matt Kean, the chairman of the Climate Change Authority (CCA), indicated on Sunday that the global ramifications of Trump's election would necessitate a delay in the agency's recommendations concerning the 2035 target by several months, as reported by Xinhua.
According to the Paris Agreement on climate change, Australia is required to set a 2035 emissions reduction target by February.
However, under Australian legislation, the government is unable to establish the 2035 target without input from the CCA.
Kean mentioned to Nine Entertainment newspapers on Sunday that Trump's election victory has made it essential to reevaluate and recalculate the assumptions that will guide the CCA's recommendations to the government.
He stated, "The election of Donald Trump, his remarks on climate change and energy policy positions are expected to have a global influence."
Kean further noted, "We will conduct additional analyses and modeling that will consider America's new strategy towards climate change mitigation, the global response, and its effects on international supply chains."
Chris Bowen, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, mentioned in October that the announcement regarding the 2035 target may be deferred beyond February, possibly even extending to the 2025 general election, which must occur by May.
A significant report released by the CCA in September indicated that Australia needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 75 percent from 2005 levels by 2035 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
It also stated that a 57 percent reduction is essential to keep warming to 2 degrees.
Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by a minimum of 43 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and aims for net zero emissions by 2050.
Bowen asserted in a parliamentary address in November that Australia is on course to achieve its 2030 target.
