A report released by ClimateWorks has found that Australia is not yet on track to meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement, yet that there remains sufficient potential to do so.

Tracking Progress to Net Zero Emissions used findings from the Deep Decarbonisation Pathways Project and compared them with emissions data and projections from the Australian Government to examine whether Australia was on track to (1) meetings its first commitments to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent under the Paris Agreement, and (2) on track for a net zero pathway.

While Australia’s total emissions have fallen 11 per cent since 2005, these improvements are not enough for the nation to be on track to reach net zero, nor the Government’s Paris Agreement commitments. Building sector emissions rose to 6 per cent higher than 2005 levels as emissions improvements did not keep pace with increased economic activity. Energy efficiency and clean electricity technologies did help to drive improvements, yet increased activity in the sector outpaced the improvements brought about by these technologies.

ClimateWorks’ report does, however, find that the building sector has the potential to reach 69 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 if it pursues a net zero pathway. Alongside efficiency and clean electricity technologies, stronger standards for buildings and appliances are expected to drive the majority of emissions improvements.

The report calls strongly for the adoption of a net zero pathway. In the building sector alone, present emissions intensity improvements will achieve less than a fifth the rate of emissions reductions of the net zero pathway.

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