Australia Announces 2035 Emissions Target and Net Zero Plan

The Australian Government has announced a bold new step in its climate action agenda, unveiling a national target to reduce emissions by 62–70% below 2005 levels by 2035. This announcement is part of the broader Net Zero Plan, which outlines how the country will achieve its long-term goal, building on recent progress and positioning Australia as a global clean energy leader.

The plan highlights five decarbonisation priorities:

Clean electricity across the economy
Electrification and energy efficiency
Expansion of clean fuels
Accelerated development of new technologies
Scaled-up net carbon removals

The Electricity and Energy Sector Plan sets out three key shifts to achieve net zero:

Use energy more efficiently: Reducing demand across electricity, gas, and fuels
Electrify and fuel switch: Transitioning to cleaner and cheaper energy sources
Scale clean energy supply: Increasing renewable generation to power homes, businesses, and industry

Programs such as the Capacity Investment Scheme and Rewiring the Nation are driving renewable investment, helping Australia progress toward its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.

Energy Skills Australia welcomes this announcement, highlighting the opportunities it presents for workforce development and skills growth across the energy sector. The transition to a net zero economy will require skilled workers, innovative training programs, and strong industry engagement — areas where ESA is committed to supporting new entrants to the industry, as well as upskilling the existing workforce and employers.

Read the new NetZero Plan