This Policy Brief makes the following key points:

(a) The upcoming COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference (26th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC), taking place in Glasgow from 31 October–12 November 2021, will bring countries together with the aim of accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. A central objective is the achievement of very significant reduction of carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

(b) Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will require nothing short of a complete transformation of the global energy system, and as a major exporter of coal and natural gas, Australia must play its part.

(c) Globally, momentum is building towards the net zero target and Australia’s key trading partners and strategic allies are divesting from fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy. Australia needs to be part of a final negotiated agreement from COP26 that accelerates our targets, otherwise it will be left behind.

(d) The Federal Government should not perceive this as a threat to the economic prowess in our regions – rather, it should be heralded as an opportunity to become a key innovator and exporter of renewable energy products and technologies.

View the Policy Brief here