---
title: Australia must invest billions more to reach net zero emissions by 2050
description: Australia must urgently reduce its reliance on coal and gas exports to meet its ambitious target to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
---
[](https://www.greenpeace.org.au)
[](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy)
The Canopy is a weekday morning email newsletter provided by the team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
# Australia must invest billions more to reach net zero emissions by 2050
Wednesday, 3 April 2024
Australia must urgently reduce its reliance on coal and gas exports to meet its ambitious target to reach net zero emissions by 2050, an ex-Labor climate minister has warned. Net Zero Economy Authority outgoing chair Greg Combet said serious action was needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to curb the rising frequency of devastating natural disasters and record-high temperatures driven by climate change.
Labor’s proposed changes to water trigger laws could have ‘centuries-long consequences’, environment groups say. The proposal would allow states and territories to make decisions about coal mining and unconventional gas where water resources are affected. Currently the federal government has the final say on such projects under the so-called “water trigger”.
Jet scandal: Climate minister urged to consider carbon emissions after RAAF flight controversy. Anthony Albanese has been urged to offset emissions from his controversial jet use after it was revealed that he and two ministers chartered two private planes to attend the same clean energy event in the NSW Hunter Valley.
TOP NEWS STORIES
[Greg Combet: Australia must invest billions more to reach net zero emissions by 2050](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Ftechnology%2Fenvironment%2Fclimate-change%2Fgreg-combet-australia-must-invest-billions-more-to-reach-net-zero-emissions-by-2050%2Fnews-story%2F19bb032514f66f553b720a19be72efe6&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=1BIM3B5EAsNEr-UGN0VDTEnwzDo&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Ind3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdSJ9._9eIk96tIPNTjXwzMngn8CFnjBniEWEG71sNjH2GiqhhnqHvoch0hnhg2EgYcYnFoZnfeMpFAgXVacvMtxi1Pg)
Australia must urgently reduce its reliance on coal and gas exports to meet its ambitious target to reach net zero emissions by 2050, an ex-Labor climate minister has warned.
[Labor’s proposed changes to water trigger laws could have ‘centuries-long consequences’, environment groups say](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/02/labor-water-trigger-laws-environment-impact-coal-seam-gas)
The proposal would allow states and territories to make decisions about coal mining and unconventional gas where water resources are affected.
[Jet scandal: Climate minister urged to consider carbon emissions after RAAF flight controversy](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Ftravel%2Ftravel-updates%2Fjet-scandal-climate-minister-urged-to-consider-carbon-emissions-after-raaf-flight-controversy%2Fnews-story%2F3a748e25c6026e912749a5bc5ae4dd63&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=_GZQ7dH7u3iO8tWoWzDUcyNIXQw&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Ind3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdSJ9._9eIk96tIPNTjXwzMngn8CFnjBniEWEG71sNjH2GiqhhnqHvoch0hnhg2EgYcYnFoZnfeMpFAgXVacvMtxi1Pg)
Anthony Albanese has been urged to offset emissions from his controversial jet use after it was revealed that he and two ministers chartered two private planes to attend the same clean energy event in the NSW Hunter Valley.
[How federal tax dollars meant to fight climate change could end up boosting Louisiana’s fossil fuel production](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newspronto.com%2Fnews%2Fthe-conversation%2F112236-how-federal-tax-dollars-meant-to-fight-climate-change-could-end-up-boosting-louisiana%25E2%2580%2599s-fossil-fuel-production&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=P-7kqZYd64EVvQ4axOwCBjiV5-c&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Ind3dy5uZXdzcHJvbnRvLmNvbSJ9.MY1SLcp4Vo0wTu3suIRUI-sjWTZ5qKGrYkF5cOFc8wcU3QOhyWGiTTMfcEXDNWU7keQgWCz7XHeMERL7j1cogg)
Billions of federal tax dollars will soon be pouring into Louisiana to fight climate change, yet the projects they’re supporting may actually boost [fossil fuels](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/10/09/carbon-capture-oil-gas/) – the very products warming the planet.
[Electric Vehicle Showcase at This Year's Off-Grid Living Festival](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphotos.aap.com.au%2Freleases%3Frkey%3D20240401medianet_pr_1002471%26filter%3D16881&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=H2rtnXbMcMOlVrcQIrFsb7uoxBI&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6InBob3Rvcy5hYXAuY29tLmF1In0.EwXLklzTQvBfanUccAcdCvp3cf6OpOtzfR7K7XWrnGyD24mG_5yDDjvhkNr-CviUEHgbKCB0I9mNIbzkXH31-A)
The future of transportation takes centre stage at this year's [Off-Grid Living Festival](https://www.offgridevent.com.au/) 6 & 7 April, Chiltern VIC with the debut of the new Electrification Festival area, dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations in electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable transportation solutions.
[Dogs wiping out Tasmanian little penguin populations, with pet owners urged to restrain their animals](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2024-04-01%2Fdogs-wiping-out-tasmanian-little-penguin-populations%2F103646040&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=ta8qdG8V-RYIfEOV1C8bHVSmEIU&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Ind3dy5hYmMubmV0LmF1In0.G6KfJQf9DTg3BPfDRnL8aNk-KGOfbZc12czKSTcqj9BstN0qGFyj-TGroGNT_097qH1_WRMtfq5v4vGs7BrXgQ)
Little penguins are increasingly threatened by human activity, climate change and habitat loss. But in Tasmania, dogs are the biggest killers, threatening to wipe out entire colonies within just a few years.
[Fasting is a key part of Ramadan, but for many Muslims, climate change is making food scarce all year](https://theconversation.com/fasting-is-a-key-part-of-ramadan-but-for-many-muslims-climate-change-is-making-food-scarce-all-year-225778)
Several of the countries thought to be the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change are countries with Muslim majority populations (such as [Indonesia](https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/indonesia#:%7E:text=Indonesia%20is%20highly%20vulnerable%20to,rainfall%20patterns%20and%20increasing%20temperature), [Bangladesh](https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/10/31/key-highlights-country-climate-and-development-report-for-bangladesh), and [Pakistan](https://www.undp.org/pakistan/environment-and-climate-change)). But in Muslim-majority countries in the global south there’s been a push for “greening” Ramadan, and for environmentally sustainable practices to be incorporated into daily Muslim life.
[Green scheme pays empty promises](http://www.executivecareer.net.au/news/green-scheme-pays-empty-promises)
Experts have challenged the integrity of Australia's Carbon Credit scheme. [A recent study](https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01313-x) has raised significant concerns about the efficacy of Australia's emission abatement, suggesting that forest regeneration projects, which are supposed to generate carbon credits for large polluters, may not be delivering the promised environmental benefits.
[Crossbench demands donations reform after $16m in ‘dark money’ flows into voice campaign](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/03/crossbench-demands-donations-reform-after-16m-in-dark-money-flows-into-voice-campaign)Federal crossbenchers have urged the government to strengthen Australia’s political donations laws after the source of millions of dollars in “dark money” poured into the Indigenous voice referendum campaign was hidden in official disclosures.
[Labor ministers warned over expanded use of AI in immigration and biosecurity decisions](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/02/labor-ministers-warned-over-expanded-use-of-ai-in-immigration-and-biosecurity-decisions)
The federal government’s increasing use of computers to make decisions is raising alarm – including from its own ranks – with a bipartisan committee warning automation could jeopardise important safeguards that human discretion provides.
[energy policy](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/energy-policy), [climate change](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/climate-change), [Electric vehicles](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/electric-vehicles), [fossil fuel](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/fossil-fuel), [deforestation](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/deforestation), [Biodiversity](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/biodiversity), [net zero](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/net-zero), [First Nations](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/first-nations)
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