Scott Morrison announces historic net zero emissions target

Scott Morrison has announced a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in a bid to tackle global warming.

The Prime Minister will show off his ‘uniquely Australian’ proposal at crunch climate talks in Glasgow with world leaders at the end of this month. 

He says Australia can reach net zero emissions by relying on technology such as solar and hydrogen and without introducing any new taxes.

Mr Morrison said the plan will create 62,000 regional mining and heavy industry jobs and leave Aussies $2,000 better off in 2050 compared to taking no climate action. 

The Prime Minister also said the plan won’t raise electricity costs or put regional jobs at risk.

‘Australians want action on climate change. They’re taking action on climate change but they also want to protect their jobs and their livelihoods,’ he said. 

‘They also want to keep the costs of living down.

‘And I also want to protect the Australian way of life, especially in rural and regional areas. The Australian way of life is unique,’ he said. 

After a week of internal meetings and debate, Barnaby Joyce (centre with David Littleproud and Bridget McKenzie) revealed his National Party now backs a net zero target

Australia’s plan will also depend on carbon capture and storage as well as emissions offsets at home and overseas.

‘It will not impact households businesses or the broader economy with new costs or taxes imposed by the initiatives that we are undertaking,’ Mr Morrison said. 

‘It will not cost jobs, not in farming, mining or gas. Because what we’re doing in these plans is positive things, enabling things.’ 

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said Australia’s emissions are predicted to drop 30 to 35 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Although this is not an updated target, it is well ahead of the Government’s current target of of a 26 to 28 per cent reduction. 

The announcement comes after the National Party has declared it will support a 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.  

After a week of internal meetings and debate, leader Barnaby Joyce revealed the junior Coalition party now backs the target and declared: ‘I am 100 per cent on board with the goal of net zero by 2050.’

The Nationals were concerned that regional jobs in heavy emitting industries such as coal mining would be smashed. 

If temperatures continue to rise, there could be devastating effects here on Earth, including a dramatic loss of sea-life, an ice-free Arctic and more regular ‘extreme’ weather