A few days before COP26, Australia says it is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050

The plan announced by Scott Morrison certainly provides for the equivalent of 13 billion euros in investments, but it is largely based on purchases of rights to pollute and technologies considered by experts as not yet having been proven.

AFP - TOLGA AKMEN

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Australia, one of the worst performers among the rich countries when it comes to the fight against global warming, has just announced that it is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, just two weeks away from the COP26, in which Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally decided to participate.

But this plan does not provide for reducing mining activities, including gas and coal extraction. 

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Sydney,

Grégory Plesse

Change everything without changing anything.

This is the funny commitment that Scott Morrison made this Tuesday, October 26.

After heated debates within his majority, he has just announced that he is committing his country to carbon neutrality by 2050. 

A plan that includes investments of more than ten billion euros in low-emission technologies, such as solar and clean hydrogen.

But he also said that

this plan did not call into question the most polluting activities

and that basically, no one would have to tighten their belts.

"

We are not going to stop producing gas and

coal

"

"

We are not going to stop producing gas and

coal

, or exporting it,

" explained the Prime Minister of Australia. 

This plan will not affect individuals, businesses or the entire economy with additional costs or taxes imposed by the initiatives we are taking.

It will not destroy jobs in agriculture, in mining or gas, because what we do is positive things. 

" 

Promises that are struggling to convince the Labor opposition, according to which there is nothing new in this plan, except the extension of legislation already in place.

Scott Morrison ensures for his part that his plan will be welcomed by the international community in Glasgow, which he will hit the road on Thursday.

►

To read also: Global warming: the Australian Prime Minister defends a record far from exemplary

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Australia

  • COP26

  • Climate change