Climate scientists have observed with mounting concern the continuing emissions and the rise in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. For decades, they have issued dire warnings about what is at stake and what is required to curb global warming. Yet global temperatures continue to rise, along with damages from extreme weather.
This report is the Climate Council’s science-backed vision for what Australia’s best effort could look like. Australia is a nation of currently high emissions but rich renewable energy resources. The country has been ravaged by unprecedented bushfires, droughts, and floods in recent years, and decision makers should not ignore these warnings.
This report lays out the latest physical science of climate change and what it means for all countries, but especially Australia, during this crucial year for advancing international cooperation. It also examines the commitments we must make this year in the lead up to the next UN climate talks (COP26), the scale of action required from Australia this decade, and the opportunities this will unleash.