Net-zero fever hits Australia, but watch for signs of greenwash

As Australia inches forward towards a net-zero emissions target, the news is awash with statements from everyone from the Business Council of Australia through to News Corp lining up behind net-zero by 2050.

But, as Richie Merzian from The Australia Institute reminds us, net zero by 2050 is a meaningless target if fossil fuels are enabled to flourish - which is exactly what the Nationals, holders of just five percent of the Australian vote, are pushing for in order to get a target over the line.

With traditional climate blockers appearing to turn over a new leaf, watch closely for signs of greenwash. It seems to be going around at the moment.

Richie Merzian: Net zero by 2050 is a fraud if fossil fuels flourish
A poorly executed long-term emissions reduction target is meaningless at best and a greenwashing ploy to prolong the fossil fuel industry at worst, writes Richie Merzian

COP26 in Glasgow is coming. But 'The Paris Agreement for Nature' — the other COP — hopes to halt the biodiversity crisis
Today, representatives from nearly 200 countries are meeting in Kunming, China, to finalise what has been described by some as "the Paris Agreement for Nature".

Libs, don’t let the Nats rob taxpayers with a $250 billion coal bailout
Under no circumstances should any net zero emissions deal include a $250 billion bailout of the owners of stranded coal assets.

‘Square the ledger’: farmers push Nationals for dedicated income stream in emissions reduction policy
The National Farmers’ Federation is demanding Nationals MPs drive a hard bargain for agriculture in any deal ahead of Cop26 climate talks

Metal refiner Korea Zinc pursues goal of carbon neutrality
The Sun Metals zinc refinery in Townsville is striving to be the first in the world to produce “green zinc”.

News Corp Australia reveal plans to achieve net zero goals by 2050
NewsCorp has unveiled plans for its operations to get to net-zero emissions by 2050

Australia’s $2.1 trillion future with 672,000 jobs and net zero emissions
Billionaires, blue collar workers and green groups have all joined forces for Mission Zero — a new plan to get Australians more jobs with a smarter, cleaner nation.