Australia faces mounting international pressure to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, but this goal is causing deep rifts within the governing party.

A global leader in coal and gas exports, Australia mines coal in all its states. These resources are primarily shipped to Asian nations like China, Japan, and South Korea.

Despite a near doubling of coal exports in the past decade, reaching $39 billion in 2020, the industry faces challenges. China’s recent import restrictions caused a drop in exports, although prices are recovering. Australia’s heavy dependence on coal for electricity generation makes it a world leader in carbon pollution per person.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is considering a move away from coal and gas, despite his past strong advocacy for the coal industry. This marks a significant change from his time as treasurer in 2017, when he famously brought a lump of coal into Parliament to promote continued coal production.

Morrison reassured his audience that there is no need to fear coal. Coal is the backbone of Australian business success, allowing the industries to thrive internationally.

The issue of clean energy remains a source of friction within Prime Minister Morrison’s center-right government.

Australia’s governing coalition is fractured on climate policy. The National Party, a key partner in the government, strongly defends the coal industry, arguing it’s crucial for regional communities and will remain economically viable for years to come. This clashes with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a target the Prime Minister himself hasn’t laid out concrete plans to achieve.

However, some government members, like Trent Zimmerman, believe Australia should join the international effort to cut emissions.

Zimmerman argues that Australia needs a clear target for reducing emissions and a concrete plan to achieve it. He emphasizes that these two elements go hand-in-hand. With most of the world setting net-zero targets, Australia risks being left behind. According to Zimmerman, joining the global effort is not only the right thing to do but also essential for Australia’s standing in the international community.

An Australian think tank’s polls suggest broad public support for stricter rules to limit pollution. This comes after a UN report issued a stark warning: Australia faces harsher and more frequent droughts, storms, heatwaves, and bushfires due to climate change.

Despite public concern about climate change, a Sydney Morning Herald survey found that less than half of Australians support phasing out coal power within a decade. This suggests a continued reliance on fossil fuels in Australia, even as some polls show a desire for stronger environmental regulations.

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