The Liberal Party has formally abandoned its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, with leader Sussan Ley defending the decision as a necessary compromise. Speaking in Canberra on Thursday, Ley confirmed that a future Coalition government would scrap legislated targets for net zero, a 43% emissions reduction by 2030, and an 82% renewable energy goal. However, she insisted the party would not withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, a move that could have prompted resignations from moderate Liberals.
Ley described the shift as a move towards 'energy abundance', supporting nuclear power and backing coal and gas. Despite abandoning the net zero target, she said reaching it would still be a 'welcome outcome' if achieved through other means. 'I could not be more clear when I say we are removing net zero targets and long-term targets from our policy. We are not pursuing a policy of net zero,' Ley stated.
The decision follows a five-hour party room debate on Wednesday, where a majority of MPs supported dropping the Scott Morrison-era target. Liberal federal director Andrew Hirst had warned MPs that voters equate net zero with climate action, but the party pressed ahead. The Coalition will now thrash out a joint position, with three Liberals and three Nationals tasked with finalising details by Sunday.
Energy spokesperson Dan Tehan could not specify how emissions would be reduced without clean energy incentives or by extending coal-fired power stations. He pointed to carbon capture and storage as a potential solution, though the technology remains expensive and unproven at scale. Ley acknowledged the plan prioritises energy affordability over climate considerations, saying she could 'deal with' criticism from international bodies.
