Australia Sets 2035 Target to Slash Emissions by Up to 70%
Australia has set a new target to cut greenhouse gas emissions 62 to 70% below 2005 levels by 2035, strengthening its legislated pathway to net zero by 2050.
By Ro Elvinia
The announcement, unveiled on 25 September alongside the government’s Net Zero Plan, forms part of Australia’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, submitted last month to the United Nations.
The 2035 target is a significant step up from the 2030 goal of a 43% reduction and was set following advice from the independent Climate Change Authority, as required under the Climate Change Act 2022.
The Net Zero Plan outlines how the government will achieve the target through clean electricity, electrification, clean fuels, new technologies and scaled-up carbon removals, backed by six sector-specific strategies. Treasury modelling shows that orderly action will support jobs, investment and economic growth, while delaying action risks higher costs and weaker competitiveness.
The shift is also being positioned as an opportunity for international businesses. Officials say Australia’s natural advantages in renewable resources and critical minerals, combined with policy certainty and a stable economy, make it an attractive destination for global investors in clean energy, hydrogen, future transport and other emerging low-carbon industries.
With more than 84% of global GDP now covered by net zero commitments, the government argues Australia’s new 2035 target not only strengthens its domestic transition but also reinforces its position as a reliable partner in the global low-carbon economy.
Published: 02nd Oct 2025 | Last updated: 02nd Oct 2025
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