Australia has locked in a new climate target for 2035, committing to slash greenhouse gas emissions by between 62 and 70 percent on 2005 levels, a move framed by Canberra as critical for the country’s future and its Pacific neighbours.
The target, announced last Thursday, follows independent advice from the Climate Change Authority, which the government accepted in full. The Authority, an independent statutory body, was created to provide expert, science-based advice on climate policy.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy said the new target sent a clear message about Australia’s role in the global climate fight.
“We are not the biggest polluter or the biggest economy but our commitment to action on climate change matters. It matters to our neighbours, it matters for our economy and it matters for the country that we pass on to our children,” Conroy said.
He stressed that while Australia’s share of global emissions is small, the country’s decisions have direct consequences for its Pacific partners.
“Australia also recognises that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the Pacific. We understand that it’s our responsibility to reduce emissions, and advocate that others, particularly the world’s largest emitters, do the same,” Conroy said.
The new 2035 target represents a doubling of Australia’s decarbonisation rate and will require major investment across the energy, transport and industrial sectors. Conroy argued it was “ambitious but achievable.”
“That’s why we have set a target to cut emissions which is ambitious but achievable. It sends the right investment signal, responds to the science and is delivered with a practical plan. This means halving our emissions, doubling our decarbonisation rate, and keeping us among the most ambitious nations in the world,” he said.
Australia’s plan comes at a time when Pacific leaders have repeatedly urged major economies to take stronger action, warning that rising seas and worsening climate impacts pose an existential threat to island nations.
Conroy said Australia was also backing its words with financial commitments.
“We’re contributing $50 million to the Loss and Damage Fund – and working to ensure the fund will meet the needs of our region, particularly the Pacific,” he said.
Canberra is also tying its new domestic target to a bigger diplomatic push: securing the bid to co-host COP31 in 2026 alongside Pacific Island nations.
“A Pacific COP is an important opportunity to capitalise on sustained and innovative Pacific leadership on climate, bring profile to the region’s unique challenges, and accelerate global action and implementation to meet our targets,” Conroy said.
Australia has previously faced criticism in the Pacific for lagging on climate ambition, but the new target and financial support are aimed at strengthening its credibility with island nations that see climate change as a survival issue.
Conroy said the government’s approach recognises that “we can only succeed when we work together,” emphasising that Australia wants to be seen as a reliable partner in climate action, not just a domestic actor.
