Government’s weak climate target indefensible in face of dire risk assessment
Media Release: Thursday September 18 2025
The Federal Government’s new national emissions reduction target of 62-70% has been slammed by the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) as dangerously weak and completely out of step with the government’s own National Climate Risk Assessment, released on Monday.
Executive Director Matt Roberts said the National Climate Risk Assessment report, completed in 2024, but withheld from the public until after the 2025 election, warned of escalating and compounding threats to people’s health, livelihoods, and security from climate change.
“The report found that Australia was unprepared for worsening heatwaves, bushfires, floods, coastal inundation, biodiversity collapse, and economic disruption,” Mr Roberts said.
“It also put a spotlight on vulnerable communities in WA’s North West, where there is huge inequality, and disproportionate climate impacts from severe threats from intensifying flooding, fires and cyclones.
“This comes off the back of Environment Minister Murray Watt’s approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf (NWS) gas plant extension until 2070, greenlighting the most polluting fossil fuel hub in Australia.
“Despite the grim climate assessment, the Federal Government’s 2035 emissions reduction target of 62-70%, announced as part of our Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, falls woefully short of addressing our escalating climate crisis.
“To make it clear, 70% is not good enough as a target by any measure on its own, but by making this target a range, the Albanese government is giving people permission to aim for an incredibly low base of 62%.”
Mr Roberts said that despite these stark warnings, the emissions reduction target “doesn’t come close to what the science says is needed to protect Australians”.
“The government’s own report makes clear that the climate crisis is accelerating, yet this new target shows they are still dragging their feet. Not only is this target out of touch with science, it’s out of touch with the daily reality of communities already suffering from fires, floods, and extreme heat.
“This decision to approve the extension of the NWS gas project, in light of this damning climate report, will drive demand for new gas to service the export market. Experts warn that this single project will push out 4.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions until 2070 and make it virtually impossible for Australia to even meet the government’s own weak target.
“Setting emissions targets while also approving huge new gas projects is like trying to bail out a sinking boat while drilling new holes in the hull,” Mr Roberts said.
“Gas is one of the biggest drivers of our global climate crisis, and extending the life of projects like the NWS means locking in decades of pollution. You simply cannot claim to be protecting Australians while expanding fossil fuels.
“If we don’t have a strong emissions reduction target and continue to provide unfettered support for the gas sector, we are sending the wrong signal to investors and the renewable energy sector. In WA, we are well and truly behind schedule on the transition to clean energy generation.
“The International Energy Agency has been clear that there can be no new or extended oil and gas or coal projects if we are to limit global temperature rise on a pathway to net zero. The WA and Australian governments unwavering commitment to gas is the biggest roadblock we face. It is critical this government understands gas is just as polluting as coal and in some instances even worse."
Mr Roberts said the government’s approach amounted to climate denial by stealth - acknowledging the risks in official reports but failing to act in a way that matches the scale of the threat.
“The Prime Minister gives the out of touch views of some Coalition members to muddy the debate and then expects us to be happy with Labor’s lack of ambition when it is so sorely needed.
“Australians deserve honesty and leadership. They deserve a government that puts people’s safety before fossil fuel company profits. Right now, this target is not a plan to protect Australians - it’s a plan to fail them,” Mr Roberts said.
“We continue to call on the government to commit to a science-based emissions reduction target aligned with limiting warming to 1.5°C, end approvals for new coal and gas projects, and accelerate investment in renewable energy, electrification, and resilience measures for communities on the frontlines of climate impacts.
“We know what needs to be done. The technology is here, the solutions are here, and Australians overwhelmingly want stronger action.
"What’s missing is the political will. Every year of delay locks in more damage, more costs, and more danger for our communities.”
ENDS
Media contact:
John Cooke
0433 679 780