Labor’s utter failure of a climate target is a massive win for coal and gas corporations
Labor’s utter failure of a climate target is a massive win for coal and gas corporations | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Labor’s utter failure of a climate target is a massive win for coal and gas corporations 2025-09-18 The Australian Greens have lashed Labor’s capitulation to coal and gas corporations as a massive betrayal of people and the planet.
Despite science saying net zero by 2035 will protect people and the planet, and climate and investor groups urging a target of at least 75%, Labor will only aim for a 62-70% reduction. The Climate Risk Report outlines the devastating risks this target raises for Australia: 1.5 million Australians at risk of sea level rise making their homes and communities unliveable¹ Rolling disastrous weather events Heat deaths surging by over 200% in cities like Sydney and Darwin² Hospitals pushed to the brink Hundreds of billions wiped from the property market over the next 25 years³ Higher insurance bills, failing crops and higher grocery prices Mass extinction ¹Climate Risk Assessment Overview page 22 ²Climate Risk Assessment Overview page 35 - figure 4 ³Climate Risk Assessment Overview page 31 Attributable to Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters: “Coal and gas corporations will love this utter failure of a target.
“Labor has sold out to coal and gas corporations with this utter failure of a target. “Labor’s utter failure of a climate target is a betrayal of people and the planet and a win for coal and gas corporations. “The Prime Minister’s legacy will be climate catastrophe as forecast in the risk report: 1.5 million people at risk of flooding in their homes and communities, rolling disastrous weather events, surging heat deaths and mass extinction.
“Labor has given up on the science and listened to their coal and gas donors – who are making massive profits, many paying no tax, while everyday people, families, and businesses pay the price. “Labor is the worst type of climate hypocrite: they claim to care and then approve more coal and gas projects. “Coal and gas exports are responsible for almost 20% of Australia's pollution domestically, but the government is intentionally avoiding phasing it out.
“This is the target you get when you refuse to end coal and gas exports and you refuse to end native forest logging. This is not ambition. “The one off injection of money announced for the clean energy transition is less than the government gives to corporations every year in fossil fuel subsidies.
“The only reason you have a range is to let you off the hook if you only hit the lower number - the target announced today is 62%. “The profits of coal and gas exports cannot be prioritised above a liveable climate. Labor must stand up to coal and gas corporations and put people first.
“This could be the parliament where we take ambitious action – we have the numbers. We say again to the government: don’t make climate delay your legacy, change course on coal and gas.” Attributable to Assistant Climate and Energy Spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May: “Today’s abysmal and unambitious climate target shows Labor do not have the guts to get us out of this mess.
“We heard just this week that we’re on track for 1.5 million Australians to be displaced by sea level rise over the next 25 years, and despite these catastrophic warnings our government is more interested in keeping their fossil fuel industry mates happy. “What am I meant to tell my kids about their future when the science is ignored and corporate profits are prioritised above all else?
“Labor must end their addiction to coal and gas so we can secure a safe future for people and planet.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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