PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The federal government’s Climate Change Bill 2022 has passed through the House of Representatives.
The Bill will enshrine into law an emissions reduction target of 43% from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the overdue legislation would provide energy and investment certainty and usher in the next generation of economic growth and opportunity.
It locks in 43% as Australia’s target to reduce emissions and ensures a whole-of-government approach to drive towards that target, and ensures accountability through an annual update to Parliament by the Climate Change Minister on the progress being made towards the target and empowers the Climate Change Authority to provide advice to government on future targets.
Passing this Bill in the House of Representatives only 75 days after the election was an important step towards implementing the government’s Powering Australia plan to create jobs, put downward pressure on power bills and reduce emissions by boosting renewable energy, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“This Bill records the government’s ambition to take the country forward on climate action – and it reflects our determination to bring people with us,” Albanese said.
“It will help open the way for new jobs, new industries, new technologies and a new era of prosperity for Australian manufacturing.”
Bowen said the passing of this Bill in the House of Representatives started a new era of climate and energy certainty, one that was well overdue.
The Bill will now proceed to the Senate to be debated in upcoming sitting weeks.