“POWER UP”: Climate Game Changers from Climate Council

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Power Up is a set of 10 climate gamechangers that will help get Australia on track to tackle both the climate crisis and our cost-of living crisis.

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AUSTRALIA’S JOURNEY TO NET ZERO IS ONLY BEGINNING.

Over this decade, we will need to get on a steep trajectory of emissions reductions, with existing efforts ramped up significantly and quickly.

Australia has already warmed by around 1.4°C and is suffering significant losses from accelerating climate change. Worse is on the way as extreme weather events – such as bushfires, floods, heatwaves and droughts – occur more often, and become more severe.
To avoid the worst climate impacts, global emissions must halve this decade and we must reach net zero in the early 2040s.

As a wealthy country with extraordinary renewable resources, Australia should aim to reduce its emissions by 75% this decade, and reach net zero emissions shortly after. Power Up can help us get there.

OUR VISION
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Amanda

What Is Power Up?

Power Up is a set of 10 climate gamechangers that the Climate Council has identified to help get Australia on track to fix both the climate crisis and our cost-of-living crisis.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE

This builds on the Federal Government’s existing plans to reduce national emissions by at least 43% (below 2005 levels) by 2030, reaching net zero by 2050.

Our Power Up solutions are ready to go! They use available technologies and can be put in place within the next few years, so emissions steeply fall across the electricity, transport, buildings and industry sectors.

By reducing Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels like coal and gas the Federal Government can address climate change, as well as our cost-of-living crisis.

WE PLOTTED KEY CHANGES FROM EACH OF THESE SOLUTIONS OUT BELOW IN A TIMELINE*

AUSTRALIA IT’S TIME TO GET CRACKING!

2022

END PUBLIC FUNDING AND FINANCE FOR COAL, GAS AND OIL

Review of fossil fuel subsidies before 2022-23 Federal budget (to be released October 2022) and end all subsidies

2022


PLUG IN 100% RENEWABLES

Key transmission projects identified by AEMO begin planning and construction

2023

ENSURE MAJOR POLLUTERS DO THEIR FAIR SHARE

See major polluters start cutting emissions straight away through a reformed Safeguard Mechanism

2024

DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE AND ENERGY INVESTMENT PLAN

Dedicated climate budget capturing overall spend and phase out of fossil fuel subsidies


UPSKILL AUSTRALIANS FOR CLEAN TRADES

Prioritise renewables skills in the new National Skills Agreement

PLAN AHEAD FOR COAL CLOSURES SO NO-ONE IS LEFT BEHIND

Closure dates set for all coal fired power stations

REV UP FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

Mandatory fuel efficiency standards are legislated for light vehicles

2025

MAKE NEW BUILDINGS NET ZERO AND ELECTRIFY OLD ONES

Ban on new gas appliances in homes becomes effective

2026

DITCH DIESEL FOR RENEWABLE ELECTRIC BUSES

All bus and train transport transitioned to zero-emissions fleets.

2027

BOOST BATTERIES FOR ROCK-SOLID RENEWABLE SUPPLIES

Each year has specific targets for additional battery storage mandates

2030

AUSTRALIA REACHES 75% EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS

*One possible timeline demonstrating that these 10 Climate Gamechangers can be rolled out with ease by 2030

POWER UP THE CLIMATE COUNCIL

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The Climate Council is Australia’s leading climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert advice to the Australian public on climate change and solutions based on the most up-to-date science available.
The Climate Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, meet and work. We wish to pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise the continuous connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to land, water and Country.
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