In A Landmark Bill, Australia Sets A New Climate Target

Australia's parliament has passed legislation enshrining a pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. The country is one of the highest emitters per capita in the world, and the target brings it in line with other developed countries.

However, critics claim that the government's plans to meet the target are vague. Some have called for a higher target as well as a ban on new fossil-fuel projects in the country.

However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the new Climate Change Bill as the end of a decade of climate policy inaction. It is the first significant action against climate change taken by the party since it came to power in May. After accepting minor amendments from independent David Pocock, the Labor government's climate bill passed the Senate by a vote of 37 to 30.

According to The a Newspaper, climate change minister Chris Bowen told parliament that" today is a good day for our parliament and our country, and we're going to need many more of them" The former government had enraged allies with its short-term emissions reduction target, which was roughly half of what the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says is required if the world is to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, there is widespread support in parliament for greater climate action. Many independents campaigned on climate change, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2030.

Meanwhile, the Green Party said the bill's passage was a "small step" toward addressing the climate crisis. Most also want a moratorium on new coal and gas projects, claiming that the target cannot be met without them.