PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday announced intentions for Australia to join Germany’s Climate Club, which is an international initiative focused on industrial decarbonisation and pursuing net zero emissions.

Speaking from Berlin, Albanese said that Australia and Germany were united in their commitment to tackling climate change.

Albanese said that Australia will join other G7 countries, as well as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Luxemburg in the Climate Club.

“My government has set the ambition for Australia to be a renewable energy superpower. But we also want to be a renewable energy export superpower, working with countries like Germany, on the industries of the future. For example, we know that exports of green hydrogen derivatives from Australia to Germany can work, and that businesses at both ends are working on this.

“Growing jobs and industry is a key aim for my government, and for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government as well. We’re also working together to lay the foundations for critical minerals supply chains between our two countries.”

The Climate Council has welcomed Albanese’s announcement, with director of research Dr Simon Bradshaw saying that joining the Climate Club is a good move, but must be backed by stronger steps at home to phase out fossil fuels and build the clean industries of the future.

“International collaboration is key to achieving the emissions reductions we need to combat the climate crisis. But we need to see any new international partnerships backed with real action.”

“The fact is Australia’s emissions reduction target remains weaker than Europe’s, the US, and other members of the Climate Club. We will now rightly see even more international pressure on Australia to up our game.

“The Climate Club aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. However, this is far too slow - we really should be aiming to achieve net zero by 2035.”

Climate Councillor and economist Nicki Hutley said it was in Australia's economic interests to join this club, to support and enhance the decarbonisation of its industries, to encourage other countries to do the same, and to keep 1.5 ^oC alive.

Hutley said Australia's joining the Climate Club was symbolic of its reputational shift from a climate outlier and laggard to one that is now being welcomed back into the fold.

“Previously, at COP meetings, Australia was almost considered an outcast. Now, we're welcomed by other nations. Despite making progress, we can and should accelerate our emissions reduction efforts, given our vast natural and financial resources.

“We mustn't rest on our laurels, but we are certainly being welcomed into the international fold more than we have been for a long time.”