Environmental Sustainability
#22Key Findings
Australia scores relatively poorly (rank 22) with regard to environmental sustainability.
Australia intends to reach a net zero emissions status by 2050. Critics say government commitments often lack detailed sectoral plans and rely on unpredictable technological innovations. About 61% of energy generation is expected to come from renewables by 2030.
Government rhetoric shows a strong commitment to preserving ecosystems, but economic and population pressures continue to impact biodiversity.
Domestic politics around climate change have been contentious, with environmental issues contributing to the downfall of several prime ministers. Global environmental protection and cooperation strategies have become more credible, but the influence of the resources industry has hindered progress in this area.
Australia intends to reach a net zero emissions status by 2050. Critics say government commitments often lack detailed sectoral plans and rely on unpredictable technological innovations. About 61% of energy generation is expected to come from renewables by 2030.
Government rhetoric shows a strong commitment to preserving ecosystems, but economic and population pressures continue to impact biodiversity.
Domestic politics around climate change have been contentious, with environmental issues contributing to the downfall of several prime ministers. Global environmental protection and cooperation strategies have become more credible, but the influence of the resources industry has hindered progress in this area.
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How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Australia has made commitments to achieve net zero (climate neutrality) by 2050 (DCCEEW 2023). This plan is supported by sector-specific strategies in high-emission areas.
Australia has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, supported by sector-specific
strategies in high-emission areas (DCCEEW 2023). For example, the transport sector, responsible for approximately 19% of emissions (with passenger cars and light Commercial vehicles Accounting for 60% of this figure), is projected to become the largest source of emissions by 2030. Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the major solution to this problem – more EVs will reduce emissions if Australia is able to generate a large proportion of its energy from renewable sources (the target is 82% by 2030). However, EVs only made up about 8% of the market in 2023. To accelerate the uptake of EVs, the government has introduced a National Electric Vehicle Strategy, which includes discounts to make EVs cheaper and a fund to support transformation of infrastructure to roll out chargers at regular intervals on major highways.
Agriculture, contributing around 13% of emissions mainly from methane and fertilizers, receives government funding for research into new livestock feed and farming techniques. The government also created a new Net Zero Economy agency to coordinate economic transformation and maximize benefits (PMC 2023).
Despite these commitments and some progress, Australia has faced criticism for insufficient ambition and actions to ensure it achieves its climate goals. The commitments often lack detailed plans and rely heavily on unpredictable technological innovations.
Perhaps most significantly, as researchers for the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) observe, Australia continues to develop significant fossil fuel projects and infrastructure, with no plans to phase out fossil fuel extraction industries (CCPI 2023). The Climate Change Performance Index report notes that Australia remains one of nine countries responsible for 90% of global coal production and plans to increase coal and gas production by over 5% by 2030, incompatible with the global 1.5C target.
Citations:
CCPI. 2023. “Climate Change Performance Index: Australia.” https://ccpi.org/country/aus/
DCCEEW. 2023. “Australia’s Climate Change Strategies.” https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/strategies
PMC. 2023. “Net Zero Economy Agency.” Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. https://www.pmc.gov.au/netzero
Australia has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, supported by sector-specific
strategies in high-emission areas (DCCEEW 2023). For example, the transport sector, responsible for approximately 19% of emissions (with passenger cars and light Commercial vehicles Accounting for 60% of this figure), is projected to become the largest source of emissions by 2030. Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the major solution to this problem – more EVs will reduce emissions if Australia is able to generate a large proportion of its energy from renewable sources (the target is 82% by 2030). However, EVs only made up about 8% of the market in 2023. To accelerate the uptake of EVs, the government has introduced a National Electric Vehicle Strategy, which includes discounts to make EVs cheaper and a fund to support transformation of infrastructure to roll out chargers at regular intervals on major highways.
Agriculture, contributing around 13% of emissions mainly from methane and fertilizers, receives government funding for research into new livestock feed and farming techniques. The government also created a new Net Zero Economy agency to coordinate economic transformation and maximize benefits (PMC 2023).
Despite these commitments and some progress, Australia has faced criticism for insufficient ambition and actions to ensure it achieves its climate goals. The commitments often lack detailed plans and rely heavily on unpredictable technological innovations.
Perhaps most significantly, as researchers for the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) observe, Australia continues to develop significant fossil fuel projects and infrastructure, with no plans to phase out fossil fuel extraction industries (CCPI 2023). The Climate Change Performance Index report notes that Australia remains one of nine countries responsible for 90% of global coal production and plans to increase coal and gas production by over 5% by 2030, incompatible with the global 1.5C target.
Citations:
CCPI. 2023. “Climate Change Performance Index: Australia.” https://ccpi.org/country/aus/
DCCEEW. 2023. “Australia’s Climate Change Strategies.” https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/strategies
PMC. 2023. “Net Zero Economy Agency.” Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. https://www.pmc.gov.au/netzero
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How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
There has been a growing awareness of the adverse health effects of environmental pollution. Recognized risks in the Australian context include increasing risk of floods and storm surges that can result in drownings, injuries and mental health problems, as well as growing risks of infectious diseases, harmful pollutants from fossil fuels, and bushfires (Doctors for the Environment Australia 2016). The government has introduced measures to curb emissions and protect against environmental crises, with regulations focusing on health consequences. National report standards for six common air pollutants are set, with state and territory governments required to report annually (Dean and Green 2017). These governments regulate air pollution through various policy tools, including pollution fee schemes, though their scope and strength vary across jurisdictions.
Commentators argue that the government could do more to protect environmental health, suggesting practical measures such as building a high-speed railway to connect cities on the east coast to reduce air traffic emissions and stronger restrictions on fossil fuel extraction. Additionally, better forecasting for bush burning could reduce adverse impacts (Dean and Green 2017).
Citations:
Doctors for the Environment Australia. 2016. “Climate Change and Health in Australia.”Doctors for the Environment Australia. https://dea.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/DEA_Climate_Change__Health_Fact_Sheet_final.pdf
Dean, A., and Green, D. 2017. “Climate Change, Air Pollution and Health in Australia.” UNSW Sydney, Grand Challenges. file:///C:/Users/nwok/Downloads/Sub_94_attach_1%20(1).pdf
Commentators argue that the government could do more to protect environmental health, suggesting practical measures such as building a high-speed railway to connect cities on the east coast to reduce air traffic emissions and stronger restrictions on fossil fuel extraction. Additionally, better forecasting for bush burning could reduce adverse impacts (Dean and Green 2017).
Citations:
Doctors for the Environment Australia. 2016. “Climate Change and Health in Australia.”Doctors for the Environment Australia. https://dea.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/DEA_Climate_Change__Health_Fact_Sheet_final.pdf
Dean, A., and Green, D. 2017. “Climate Change, Air Pollution and Health in Australia.” UNSW Sydney, Grand Challenges. file:///C:/Users/nwok/Downloads/Sub_94_attach_1%20(1).pdf
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How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
The government’s rhetoric and action show a strong commitment to preserving ecosystems, but long-term economic and population pressures have negatively impacted biodiversity.
Australia is home to an enormous variety of animal and plant species. However, according to the recent State of the Environment report, over the past two centuries, the country has experienced high rates of species extinction as a result of introduced species and habitat loss (Commonwealth of Australia 2021). The pressures on biodiversity have increased in recent years, such that the number of threatened species has grown by 8% since 2016.
Biodiversity management in Australia involves governments, landholders, Indigenous communities, NGOs, industry, and volunteers. Government at local, state/territory and national levels implement a wide range of policies designed to tackle threats to biodiversity, including the management of protected areas, measures to limit threats to delicate ecosystems and to promote their long-term recovery. Indigenous communities have played a critical role over many generations in environmental management. However, colonization and mismanagement of the environment have fed off each other, and existing approaches to ecological management continue to marginalize Indigenous people in a way that undermines them and the knowledge and participation they can bring to the tasks of environmental management.
Strengthening biodiversity is critically important in and of itself, but it also matters in significant ways for human welfare (Barraclough et al. 2023). For example, high-quality nutrition, food security and food prices depend on biodiversity that is being undermined by climate change and urban sprawl. Australia’s biodiversity has also been an important resource in the making of medicines. Coral reefs are especially important in this respect, so the rapid degradation of the Great Barrier Reef has critical implications for disease prevention. Healthy biodiverse ecosystems also play a critical role in water management. They purify water and help to prevent flooding. However, drought and deforestation have reduced water availability, with implications for the future reliability of water supplies for agriculture and for consumption in Australia’s growing cities.
Citations:
Commonwealth of Australia. 2021. Australia: State of the Environment. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water. https://soe.dcceew.gov.au
Barraclough, K., Carey, M., Winkel, K.D., Humphries, E., Ah Shay, B., Chao Foong, Y. 2023. “Why Losing Australia’s Biodiversity Matters for Human Health: Insights from the Latest States of the Environment Assessment.” The Medical Journal of Australia. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2023/218/8/why-losing-australias-biodiversity-matters-human-health-insights-latest-state
Australia is home to an enormous variety of animal and plant species. However, according to the recent State of the Environment report, over the past two centuries, the country has experienced high rates of species extinction as a result of introduced species and habitat loss (Commonwealth of Australia 2021). The pressures on biodiversity have increased in recent years, such that the number of threatened species has grown by 8% since 2016.
Biodiversity management in Australia involves governments, landholders, Indigenous communities, NGOs, industry, and volunteers. Government at local, state/territory and national levels implement a wide range of policies designed to tackle threats to biodiversity, including the management of protected areas, measures to limit threats to delicate ecosystems and to promote their long-term recovery. Indigenous communities have played a critical role over many generations in environmental management. However, colonization and mismanagement of the environment have fed off each other, and existing approaches to ecological management continue to marginalize Indigenous people in a way that undermines them and the knowledge and participation they can bring to the tasks of environmental management.
Strengthening biodiversity is critically important in and of itself, but it also matters in significant ways for human welfare (Barraclough et al. 2023). For example, high-quality nutrition, food security and food prices depend on biodiversity that is being undermined by climate change and urban sprawl. Australia’s biodiversity has also been an important resource in the making of medicines. Coral reefs are especially important in this respect, so the rapid degradation of the Great Barrier Reef has critical implications for disease prevention. Healthy biodiverse ecosystems also play a critical role in water management. They purify water and help to prevent flooding. However, drought and deforestation have reduced water availability, with implications for the future reliability of water supplies for agriculture and for consumption in Australia’s growing cities.
Citations:
Commonwealth of Australia. 2021. Australia: State of the Environment. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water. https://soe.dcceew.gov.au
Barraclough, K., Carey, M., Winkel, K.D., Humphries, E., Ah Shay, B., Chao Foong, Y. 2023. “Why Losing Australia’s Biodiversity Matters for Human Health: Insights from the Latest States of the Environment Assessment.” The Medical Journal of Australia. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2023/218/8/why-losing-australias-biodiversity-matters-human-health-insights-latest-state
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To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
10
9
9
Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
8
7
6
7
6
Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
5
4
3
4
3
Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
2
1
1
Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
Australian policy has moved toward more credible global environmental protection and cooperation strategies. However, the reluctance of Australian governments to demand or lead the decarbonization of the economy, which itself is a reflection of the economic and political power of the resources industry, has hindered progress in this area.
Domestic politics around climate change have been contentious, with environmental issues contributing to the downfall of several prime ministers. Internationally, Australia has been considered a laggard in global environmental sustainability due to high per capita emissions and resistance to ambitious targets for reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. This reflects the traditional – and continued – importance of coal and gas production in the Australian economy, which makes decarbonization a more costly proposition than in many other countries.
The 2022 federal election, seen as a “climate change election,” with environmental issues featuring prominently in the parties’ manifestos and debates. Pro-environment parties and candidates fared well in the election, and the new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, promised a new approach to global environmental sustainability.
Australia has strengthened its emissions reduction target and enshrined this commitment in law. The government has also signed up to the Global Methane Pledge, joining 130 governments that have committed to a reduction of at least 30% in methane emissions by 2030 (IEA 2023). The government has also introduced a range of policies and strategies to accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Despite such progress, Australia continues to hinder global sustainability efforts by not fully decarbonizing its power generation industry. Commentators argue that a comprehensive price on greenhouse gas emissions, as seen in the UK, Canada, and Scandinavia, would accelerate progress (Turnbull 2023).
Citations:
IEA. 2023. “Australia has raised its climate targets and now needs to accelerate its clean energy transition, says new IEA review.” IEA50. https://www.iea.org/news/australia-has-raised-its-climate-targets-and-now-needs-to-accelerate-its-clean-energy-transition-says-new-iea-review
Turnbull, T. 2023. “Has Australia Cleaned Up Its Act on Climate?” BBC September 8. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-65606208
Domestic politics around climate change have been contentious, with environmental issues contributing to the downfall of several prime ministers. Internationally, Australia has been considered a laggard in global environmental sustainability due to high per capita emissions and resistance to ambitious targets for reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. This reflects the traditional – and continued – importance of coal and gas production in the Australian economy, which makes decarbonization a more costly proposition than in many other countries.
The 2022 federal election, seen as a “climate change election,” with environmental issues featuring prominently in the parties’ manifestos and debates. Pro-environment parties and candidates fared well in the election, and the new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, promised a new approach to global environmental sustainability.
Australia has strengthened its emissions reduction target and enshrined this commitment in law. The government has also signed up to the Global Methane Pledge, joining 130 governments that have committed to a reduction of at least 30% in methane emissions by 2030 (IEA 2023). The government has also introduced a range of policies and strategies to accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Despite such progress, Australia continues to hinder global sustainability efforts by not fully decarbonizing its power generation industry. Commentators argue that a comprehensive price on greenhouse gas emissions, as seen in the UK, Canada, and Scandinavia, would accelerate progress (Turnbull 2023).
Citations:
IEA. 2023. “Australia has raised its climate targets and now needs to accelerate its clean energy transition, says new IEA review.” IEA50. https://www.iea.org/news/australia-has-raised-its-climate-targets-and-now-needs-to-accelerate-its-clean-energy-transition-says-new-iea-review
Turnbull, T. 2023. “Has Australia Cleaned Up Its Act on Climate?” BBC September 8. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-65606208