Élection climatique en Australie - Anthony Albanese fera-t-il de l'Australie une superpuissance des énergies renouvelables ?

The Greens fared exceptionally well in the election, with Adam Bandt declaring a Greens-slide victory. If elected, the Greens will pressure the Albanese Government to make good on its climate and renewable energy promises. For example, they want Australia’s 2050 net-zero emissions target enshrined in law and a 75% cut in 2030 emissions. Teals, on the other hand, want even higher marks.

Anthony Albanese

In the wake of a series of catastrophic natural disasters, Australia has been criticized for its laggard status on climate commitments. Indeed, the country’s current plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is among the least aggressive of any developed economy. 

As the incumbent, Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised billions of dollars to the fossil fuel industry. However, the Coalition’s pledges to fund these projects haven’t been implemented yet. While it’s unclear how Albanese will handle climate policy, he has promised to introduce more ambitious emissions targets. He also pledged to introduce a federal corruption watchdog, but he did not commit to phasing out coal use or halting new coal mines. In the coming months, Australia’s new prime minister will meet with the United States, Japan, and India leaders to discuss the global climate crisis.

Anthony Albanese has promised to make Australia a renewable energy superpower. In his election campaign, Anthony Albanese pledged to cut carbon emissions by 43% by 2030. He also pledged to boost renewable energy and build community-owned solar power. While his election promise was a bit too ambitious, he has been a vocal advocate for climate change and energy policy.

Australia is one of the world’s top carbon emitters per person and the most significant coal and gas exporter. At the recent Glasgow climate conference, Australia was shunned for not meeting ambitious targets. 

Labor

According to new polling, the Australian public wants faster action on climate change and inequality. But Australia has been notoriously slow in making the transition from fossil fuels. It has the world’s third-largest coal reserves and still depends on it to produce 90% of its electricity. As a result, it earns A$100 billion a year in coal exports. 

The Greens and the Teal Independents are pushing for an aggressive carbon emission reduction target. Labor, however, has said it will stick to a 43% target by 2030, which is still less than the Paris Agreement target of ‘well below 2C’. Labor will likely face a fight to get this through the senate and will probably have to rely on the Greens’ support.

Independents

In Australia’s climate election, Independents have the opportunity to make a real impact on the election by running in seats previously occupied by moderate Liberals. The Climate 200 initiative has more than 20 independent candidates, most of whom are women running in traditionally conservative districts. About half of these candidates are “teal independents,” which combine an appeal to blue liberals with a green climate change stance. Climate 200 is a political action fund funded by philanthropists, businesspeople, and everyday Australians.

The Teal Wave independents are running neck with Coalition politicians in many seats. Many of these candidates have spoken out against the Coalition’s weak government and want a national integrity commission. These independents are likely to have the support of the public and could push the next government to move more aggressively on climate change. 

Greens

While Australia has suffered devastating natural disasters in recent years, it has lagged behind developed economies in its commitment to fight climate change. Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions plan is the least ambitious of all developed economies. But with the election results, Australia’s climate action plan can be taken a step further. Here are some of the critical issues that will likely dominate the campaign. The Coalition focuses on a “green” future; the Greens on climate action.

Monique Ryan

While Labor has promised to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2025, the Greens have a more aggressive goal of a 60% reduction by 2030. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has repeatedly called for urgent action to avoid catastrophic climate damage. Dr. Ryan has urged the government to increase its emissions reduction target, and she said that she would not offer supplies until the government meets its more ambitious target. The Greens are also in the lead in three seats in Brisbane.

As a “teal” independent, Dr. Ryan is backed by grassroots groups such as the Climate 200 and has pledged to work with Labor if a hung parliament is formed. Both candidates have pledged to support more decisive climate action targets and have vowed to fight corruption in government.