Australia on Track to Meet 2030 Climate Targets as Emissions Fall

Australia is making steady progress toward its 2030 climate targets, with new data showing national emissions dropped by 1.4 percent, or 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, in the year to March 2025.

The latest figures put Australia’s emissions at 440.2 million tonnes – 28 percent below 2005 levels, the baseline year for the Paris Agreement. The Albanese Government has set a 43 percent reduction target by 2030.

Officials attributed the decline to stronger renewable energy generation, industrial decarbonisation under the reformed Safeguard Mechanism, and reduced residential gas demand. Renewable energy now accounts for more than 40 percent of supply across the nation’s two main grids, while solar and wind capacity has grown by 45 percent since the government took office – equivalent to four Snowy Hydro schemes.

Emissions from the electricity, stationary energy, and industrial sectors all declined, with National Electricity Market emissions down 1 percent from the previous quarter in trend terms, continuing a long-term downward trajectory.

Transport remains the main outlier, with emissions climbing due to record diesel and domestic aviation fuel use. Officials said the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is expected to rein in the sector’s rise.

Preliminary data for the financial year to June 30 suggests even greater progress, with total emissions at 436 million tonnes – 2.4 percent lower than the previous year and 29 percent below 2005 levels.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the government’s policies were delivering measurable results.

“Our practical policies – including cheaper home batteries, our reliable renewables plan and the safeguard mechanism – are working to drive down emissions across the economy,” Bowen said. “With over 37,000 household batteries installed since July, we are seeing real progress on emissions reduction while helping families cut their energy bills.”