Australia unveils 2035 emissions target, drawing environmental criticism

[https://invezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Solar-and-wind-farm.png] Australia announced on Thursday its 2035 emissions target, aiming for a 62%-70% reduction from 2005 levels. This figure was lower than anticipated and drew criticism from environmental organisations, according to a Reuters report. Countries are requested by the United Nations to submit their climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), by the end of September. This deadline allows for their efforts to be assessed prior to the COP30 climate summit, scheduled for November in Brazil. Australia ranks among the world’s highest per capita polluters, primarily due to its extensive resource industry, which involves significant extraction of coal and natural gas. TARGETS The Climate Change Authority, an independent advisory body, initially suggested a target range of 65%-75%. However, the country’s actual target is lower than this range, as well as below the Treasury Department’s modelled projections. On Thursday, Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, stated at a news conference that the reduced target was a more attainable goal. > The target must be two things, ambitious and achievable. A target over 70% is not achievable. That…