State commitments for 2030 put Australia within reach of global goals, but Morrison must step up

State government emissions reductions commitments have put Australia within reach of meeting global expectations, but new analysis reveals it will fall short unless the Morrison government steps up.

Speaking of state commitments, Tasmania has announced it will mandate a target for net zero emissions by 2030, locking in its aim to be Australia’s first zero emissions state.

And an Australian renewable energy export industry could create 395,000 jobs by 2040 and secure $89 billion in new trade, according to a report released by business groups, unions, and environmental organisations.

States put Australia on track to beat 2030 emissions pledge but Morrison may not make it official
State government commitments for 2030 have put Australia within reach of meeting global expectations on tackling the climate crisis, but new analysis reveals it will fall short if the Morrison government doesn’t step up from the current 26-28% emissions reduction commitment made by Tony Abbott in 2015.

Tasmanian Government aims for net zero emissions by 2030
Tasmania has announced it will mandate a state target of net zero emissions from 2030 — a feat it has already achieved in six of the last seven years. But the government has stopped short of mandating emissions reductions by sector as recommended by the majority of organisations who made public submissions on the plan.

Unions and business seek climate war end
An Australian renewable energy export industry could create 395,000 jobs by 2040 and secure $89 billion in new trade through clean energy exports, according to new research by the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

NSW urges federal government to follow suit, adopt 50 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has urged the Morrison government to significantly boost its 2030 emissions reduction target, saying his state intends to "power ahead" even if the federal government chooses not to embrace a higher interim goal.

Australia becoming a 'dumping ground' for polluting cars as government delays signing on to international standards
More than 80 per cent of the global car market now follows 'Euro 6' vehicle emission standards, but Australia has resisted signing up to the standards, which would require more restrictions on pollutants in petrol and new cars to emit far less particulate matter. ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel warned the refusal to adopt Euro 6 standards was bad for the environment and endangered road users.

E-waste surges in 2021 as world sends goldmine to landfill
The amount of electronic waste created globally has again increased this year, with the amount of dumped e-waste expected to total 57.4 million tonnes in 2021. Today is International E-Waste Day and experts are highlighting that only 17.4 per cent of e-waste is effectively recycled.