The Liberal Party has formally abandoned its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a target first set under the Morrison government. The decision was made during a meeting of shadow ministers on Thursday, following a party room discussion where a majority of members opposed maintaining the target.
The party also agreed to repeal Labor's 2030 emissions reduction legislation but will remain in the Paris Agreement. Instead, the Liberals will set five-yearly interim targets from government and aim to reduce emissions year-on-year 'in line with comparable countries and as fast and as far as technologies allow without imposing mandated costs'.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley stated that reaching net zero would be a 'welcome' outcome but not an active goal. 'Our emissions reduction goals will never come at the expense of Australian families,' she said. Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan emphasised using all natural resources, including coal, to lower energy prices while reducing emissions.
The decision aligns the Liberals more closely with the Nationals, who earlier this month ditched their support for the net zero commitment. Representatives from both parties will negotiate ahead of a Sunday meeting to finalise a joint policy position. Nationals leader David Littleproud welcomed the Liberal stance, saying it 'in many ways mirrors' their own position.
Senior moderates like Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic argued to keep the target, while conservatives including Ted O'Brien and Alex Hawke opposed it. The target was originally set by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2021 and later legislated by the Albanese government.
