As per the Paris Agreement, Australia has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030. However, experts suggest that Australia is not doing enough to meet its Paris Agreement commitments, and it is falling behind in taking meaningful action towards reducing carbon emissions.
The latest data shows that Australia`s greenhouse gas emissions had increased by 0.6% in the year to March 2021. The country`s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory shows that the energy sector`s emissions have increased by 0.7%, while the transport sector`s emissions have increased by 2.3%.
The main reason for Australia`s failure to meet its Paris Agreement target is its reliance on the coal industry. Australia is one of the largest exporters of coal in the world and heavily relies on the fossil fuel for energy production. The government has been reluctant to phase out coal-fired power plants and instead has focused on investing in carbon capture and storage technology, which is yet to prove economically viable.
Moreover, the Australian government has not introduced any significant policies to encourage the transition to renewable energy. The country has set a target of generating 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, but the government`s lack of commitment to this target and its failure to incentivize investment in the sector have hindered progress.
The country`s weak emission reduction targets have also come under scrutiny. Experts suggest that Australia needs to significantly increase its ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement commitments.
In conclusion, Australia is not on track to meet its Paris Agreement commitments, and urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The government needs to phase out coal-fired power plants and invest in renewable energy to transition towards a low-carbon economy. Moreover, stronger emission reduction targets and policies to incentivize investment in renewables are required to achieve the country`s Paris Agreement commitments.