Commonwealth of Australia
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:4381 million tonnes CO2-e (indicative value for 2021-2030 emissions budget)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
Environmental Achievements
- Committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
- Reaffirming its target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Social Achievements
- Investment of up to $3 billion from the new National Reconstruction Fund to support renewables manufacturing and the deployment of low emissions technologies, broadening Australia’s industrial base, bolstering regional economic development, and boosting private investment in abatement.
- A Powering the Regions Fund to support the development of new clean energy industries and the decarbonisation priorities of existing industry.
- $100 million investment to train 10,000 New Energy Apprentices and a $10 million New Energy Skills Program.
Governance Achievements
- Introduction of declining emissions baselines for Australia’s major emitters, under the existing Safeguard Mechanism.
- Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
- Application of new standardised and internationally-aligned reporting requirements for climate risks and opportunities for large businesses.
- Commitment to reduce the emissions of Commonwealth Government agencies to net zero by 2030 (excluding defence and security agencies).
- A $20 billion investment in Australia’s electricity grid complemented by an additional $300 million to deliver community batteries and solar banks across Australia.
- A new annual statement to Parliament on climate policy, progress against national targets and international developments.
- Restoration of Australia’s Climate Change Authority as an independent source of advice.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Environmental Challenges
- Climate change is already having significant impacts in Australia and our region.
Mitigation Strategies
- Leading the development of an urgent climate risk assessment of the implications of climate change for national security.
- Spending up to $200 million every year on disaster preparation and resilience projects.
- Protecting Australia’s unique environment by fixing Australia’s urban rivers and catchments, and doubling the number of Indigenous Rangers.
- Investing in the health and resilience of our ocean ecosystems, including by strengthening the management of our national network of Marine Parks and spending an additional $194.5 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
- Establishing a Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.