By James Massola,Mike Foley
Copyright smh
Australia’s climate target for 2035 is set to include business sweeteners, as Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen acknowledges many industries will be challenged by the transition to an “ambitious and achievable” goal.
The Commonwealth’s independent Climate Change Authority has handed its climate target report to Bowen and is understood to have recommended a 65 to 75 per cent cut by 2035. The government will announce the emissions reduction target by Thursday afternoon after federal cabinet signs off on the goal at a meeting in Sydney.
Environment and climate advocates want the government to commit to an emissions reduction of at least 75 per cent, declaring it the minimum requirement for Australia to do its fair share on global warming under the Paris Agreement.
However, members of peak lobby group the Business Council of Australia are split over how high the government should set its goals. Some corporations, such as banks and telcos, favour strong emissions reduction in the range of 75 per cent by 2035, while others, in heavy industries like transport and mining, are pushing for less ambitious goals.
