Australia Faces Criticism for Announcing Inadequate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Australia is drawing criticism for presenting a very passive greenhouse gas reduction plan compared to other developed countries.

According to foreign media including CNN on the 27th (local time), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on the 26th a plan to achieve "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

However, foreign media pointed out that the plan announced by Prime Minister Morrison is the weakest among the carbon zero plans of the Group of Twenty (G20) countries. While most other countries have announced carbon neutrality plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 along with carbon emission reduction plans for how much to reduce emissions by 2030, such measures were missing from the plan announced by the Australian government.

Additionally, Australia announced its greenhouse gas reduction plan just before the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), after months of pressure from neighboring countries.

CNN pointed out, "Australia's existing greenhouse gas reduction target is half that of the United States and falls far short of the targets of the EU and the UK. Despite months of demands from neighboring countries to raise the target, Australia ultimately ignored them."

In particular, Australia reportedly has no legislative plans to institutionalize its greenhouse gas reduction plan and intends to continue using fossil fuels to protect its domestic iron ore industry.

CNN noted, "Many countries had already begun implementing net zero plans before the COP26 meeting, and about ten countries are proceeding with legislation to promote these plans, but Australia has no legislative plans."

Prime Minister Morrison said when announcing the greenhouse gas reduction plan, "We will take Australia's own approach to address the risks of climate change without impacting the economy." In an op-ed sent to the media, he also stated, "We will not be taught by countries that do not understand Australia."

BBC criticized, "Australia's greenhouse gas reduction plan does not include stopping the use of fossil fuels, and in the short term, plans to increase gas usage. Australia has long shown a passive stance toward climate change response."

The British daily The Guardian pointed out, "Prime Minister Morrison's greenhouse gas reduction target is the same as the target set six years ago by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to reduce carbon emissions by 26-28% compared to 2005," adding, "In contrast, the UK, the US, and the EU have plans to reduce carbon emissions at least twice as fast as Australia."

Criticism is also emerging domestically. The independent Climate Change Authority criticized the government's plan as "a joke announcement with no strong greenhouse gas reduction plan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.