Australia has taken a step towards a radical reduction in emissions

Australia has taken a step towards a radical reduction in emissions shutterstock
Katerina Belousova

This is the first climate law since 2011

In Australia, the Senate approved a climate bill that calls for a 43% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.

However, a clear plan of activities and their financing will be established later, reportі Energy Voice.

As part of the law, Energy and Climate Secretary Chris Bowen will be required to provide Parliament with an annual statement on the government's progress on emissions.

The report noted that some pro-climate action parties, independent lawmakers and activists, including billionaire tech mogul Mike Cannon-Brookes, had put pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government. They demanded continued plans to curb emissions, and questioned his administration's continued support for fossil fuels, including a decision to oppose an amendment to ban new coal and gas development.

However, the Labor government has said it will take further steps to reduce emissions, including strengthening the corporate emissions reduction system.

"Climate legislation will return to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass quickly thanks to a majority in the Labor government," the article said.

Australia has long been seen as a laggard in the fight against climate change, in part because of its desire to protect its status as a major producer of fossil fuels. The country is the world's largest exporter of metallurgical coal, the second largest shipper of thermal coal and a key supplier of natural gas.

The carbon pricing law was passed in 2011 under then-prime minister Julia Gillard, but was repealed by the new government in 2013.

As EcoPolitic before, in Australia, legislation has been introduced that enshrines more strict emission reduction targets greenhouse gases.

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