Problems on the path to net zero

There is almost no information available on the regional consequences of Australia’s climate policies. This may reduce trust in the present government, and increase the numbers of climate-conscious candidates at the next election.

Annual changes to Safeguard rules, based on recent data, are likely to be more effective than infrequent changes.

Safeguard facilities using Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) to offset more than 30% of their baseline emissions have to give a written explanation of why more abatement was not undertaken. This weak provision may result in heavy use of ACCUs, particularly by fossil fuel producers.

Any use of ACCUs to offset methane emissions will result in many years of global warming before the offsetting cooling occurs. Methods to abate methane emissions, or to offset them with methane reductions elsewhere, are needed.

Safeguard emissions in 2021 were only about 28% of Australia’s national emissions. Little is yet available on the Australian government’s plans to eliminate the remaining 72%.