With the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C spelling out the dire consequences of climate change, there is no excuse for Australia’s failure to adopt readily-available zero-carbon solutions, said Beyond Zero Emissions CEO Vanessa Petrie.
The special report shows that climate impacts such as sea level rise, health risks, food and water insecurity, and extreme weather, the consequences will be far worse at 2°C above pre-industrial levels than at 1.5°C.
To limit warming to 1.5°C, the world will need to achieve deep and rapid emissions cuts of 45 per cent compared to 2010 levels by 2030, and reach net zero around 2050.
“It is clear that we need rapid and far-reaching zero-carbon transitions in energy, land, urban, and industrial systems to minimise the harmful impacts of climate change in Australia and beyond,” said Petrie.
“We have our work cut out for us, but the reality is that it is technically and economically feasible to get to a zero-carbon Australia in just ten years. The only obstacle is political will.”
Beyond Zero Emissions has developed plans that outline how the industry, energy, agriculture, transport, and building sectors can get to zero emissions within a decade, using readily available and affordable technology.
These peer-reviewed plans show how solutions such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, public transport, electric mobility, and new manufacturing technologies can wipe out emissions across much of Australia’s economy in just a decade.
“The solutions we need to limit global warming are available and affordable right now,” said Petrie.
“They would not only achieve the deep emissions cuts we urgently need, but would revive flagging industries and bring in billions of dollars in investment and export opportunities.
“But instead of doing the sensible and smart thing, the Federal Government continues to flounder on a credible climate policy, remains wedded to fossil fuels, and regularly attacks renewables – even as our emissions continue to rise.
“We are running out of time to effectively tackle climate change. Instead of steering Australia towards an uncertain and unsafe future, our leaders must act now to scale up the solutions that will get us to a healthy, prosperous future.”
See BZE’s zero carbon plans at Our research.