Rising Emissions Cast Doubt on Climate Change Department’s Ability to Meet Net Zero Targets

Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Department has been questioned about its ability to meet net-zero targets amid recent increases in carbon emissions. During a recent budget estimate hearing, Kath Rowley, head of the Department’s emissions reduction division, reported a slight rise in emissions from 438.4 million tonnes in the year to June 2022 to 440.8 million tonnes in the year to June 2024—an increase of 0.4 percent. Liberal Senator Dave Sharma questioned why emissions had risen despite the government’s efforts to reduce them. “From 2017 to 2022, I see continued [emissions] reductions year on year, but the last two years we’ve seen emissions increase,” he said....