A former United Nations climate chief has advised the Australian government to establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least a 75% cut by 2035, aligning with the demands of over 350 businesses who claim that such a goal would be more beneficial economically than a lesser one. Christiana Figueres, who played a significant role in crafting the 2015 Paris agreement, has made this recommendation ahead of discussions planned for the upcoming month regarding Australia’s commitment.
As of now, the Cabinet has not received formal advice from the Climate Change Authority, headed by former NSW Liberal treasurer Matt Kean. A decision regarding the target is expected before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends the UN general assembly in New York at the end of September.
Figueres has argued that setting a target of a 75% reduction would not be a burden but rather a “ticket into the prosperity of the future”. She also suggested that an ambitious goal like this could increase Australia’s chances of winning the bid to host a major UN climate summit in Adelaide in November 2026.
A report commissioned by the Business for 75% group estimated that a 75% reduction target could lead to a $370bn increase in national GDP by 2035 compared to current projections. This economical benefit is suggested to be much greater than under a 65% target. Another report by the research think tank Climate Analytics suggests that Australia should aim for a reduction target of around 81%, aligning closely with the Paris agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C since pre-industrial times.
The debate on the appropriate emissions reduction target is ongoing, with some arguing that political barriers to action are the main obstacles to achieving significant cost-effective emissions cuts. The government is also being lobbied about setting a target based on an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, suggesting countries have an obligation to limit global heating to 1.5°C. The consensus among experts is that achieving a goal of net zero emissions by 2035 is not logistically feasible.
Frank Jotzo, director of the Australian National University’s Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, suggested that even though a target in the 60s would be ambitious, the key lies in the policies driving change and their perceived feasibility. The government is considering setting a target range rather than a specific number, as proposed by the climate change minister, Chris Bowen.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/31/former-un-climate-chief-urges-australia-to-set-prosperity-target-of-cutting-emissions-by-75-by-2035
