The national embarrassment continues, with Angus Taylor set to spruik fossil fuels at COP26

Following in the footsteps of his boss’ stunt parading a lump of coal around parliament in 2017, Angus Taylor will be out of step on the global stage as he foreshadows using COP26 to promote Australia as a good place to invest in fossil fuel projects.

It appears the Morrison government has a reason for not publishing the modelling behind its net zero by 2050 plan, albeit not a good one. The department tasked with preparing the report has yet to finish writing it, with work continuing even as the plan was deliberated in cabinet on Monday.

Just days after unveiling its net zero by 2050 plan and kicking climate action down the road by several decades, the Morrison government has announced it will not sign the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions 30 per cent by 2030, which is led by the US and UK and already has 30 countries signed on.

Angus Taylor to promote fossil fuel at Glasgow Cop26 climate summit
The emissions reduction minister said on Thursday he would attend the first week of the fortnight-long talks, known as COP26, with a message that Australia was a “safe and reliable destination to invest in gas, hydrogen and new energy technologies”.

‘Secret’ modelling underpinning Scott Morrison’s net zero policy still in spreadsheet form
The modelling underpinning Scott Morrison’s strategy for a carbon neutral future cannot be published because the department has yet to finish the report. Officials from the Department of Science, Industry, Energy and Resources (DSIER) revealed the report had not been finalised and work continued while Mr Morrison’s plan was deliberated in cabinet.

Hot air flies in methane debate over net zero target
Australia will not sign the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions 30 per cent by 2030, based on 2020 levels, the federal government announced on Thursday. The international pledge is led by the US and UK and 30 countries have signed up already.

Australia's net zero by 2050 target wins praise from Fiji's PM, attracts disappointment from across the Pacific
Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has made it very clear that he doesn't want any more excuses on climate action from big emitters, including Australia, when they gather for COP26. However, he has now welcomed the new climate policy announced by his "friend" Scott Morrison. Other Pacific leaders have been more critical of Australia's new policy, lamenting what they see as a lack of ambition.

Cormann pushes Morrison government to adopt carbon price
OECD boss Mathias Cormann is pushing the Morrison government and other nations to adopt stricter carbon pricing and has released data showing Australia lagging wealthy economies in taxing emissions. A former Coalition federal finance minister and senator for Western Australia, Cormann was a key player in repealing the Gillard government’s carbon tax and mining tax.