The Australian government is continuing its long-standing support for fossil fuels both at home and abroad, despite promising new investments into clean energy. Emissions from the fossil fuel, industry, agriculture and waste sectors continue to flatline, as the government's ongoing reliance on - and revision of - its land sector for emission removals gives the appearance of action where there has been little.
The government has introduced several measures aimed at stimulating investment in large-scale renewable energy, green hydrogen production and clean manufacturing, and improvements to vehicle efficiency. Since , the government has repeatedly revised its land sector sequestration projections, creating the illusion of action.
By , the land sector revisions would have generated a reduction of The government also continues to support the oil and gas industry, reaffirming its support for production and export of fossil gas until and beyond, with the release of its Future Gas Strategy. According to the IEA, no new fossil fuel projects are required in its Net Zero Emissions scenario, which reaches net zero emissions by mid-century in a way that limits global warming to 1.
Investment in large-scale renewable energy was down significantly in compared to The government still lacks federal-level plans and committed timelines for coal and fossil gas phase-out. The government introduced several new policies in the industry and transport sectors in The updated National Hydrogen Strategy specifically focuses on renewable-based hydrogen production, rather than fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. Australia was, along with Russia, among the few developed economies to lack such measures.
Rollout of electric vehicles in Australia lags behind most OECD countries, and holistic transport policies, which consider public transport, freight, and modal shift, are still missing.
