PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Federal Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor this week said that while Australia was committed to achieving its net zero emissions targets as soon as possible, more needed to be done on the effort.

Responding to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report on climate science, which has reinforced the need for a coordinated, global effort to reduce emissions, Taylor noted that sine 2018, Australia’s 2030 position has improved by 639-million tonnes.

“These improvements are driven by Australian households and businesses adopting new energy technologies at record rates. Australia now has the most solar per person of any country in the world, the most wind and solar of any country outside of Europe, and the highest uptake of household solar in the world.

“The government’s Technology Investment Roadmap is positioning Australia to be a leader in the next generation of low-emissions technologies that will make net zero emissions practically achievable,” said Taylor.

The Roadmap will drive A$80-billion of investment in low emissions technologies in Australia by 2030 and create 160 000 jobs.

“We are reducing emissions in a way that transforms industries through the power of technology, not through taxes that destroy them and the jobs and livelihoods they support and create.

“We are focused on getting low emissions energy sources to commercial parity with high-emitting alternatives to reduce emissions across all sectors of the economy while creating jobs and economic growth. This is a practical approach with global application.

“Australia is driving increased global cooperation on low emissions technologies through new international partnerships with Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK and constructive engagement in multilateral forms like Mission Innovation.

“When it comes to emissions reduction, our record is one of delivery and achievement that Australians can be proud of,” Taylor said.

He noted that Australia’s technology-led approach to reducing emissions would see Australia continue to play its part in the global effort to combat climate change without compromising our economy or jobs.