Face of Nation : A greenhouse gas emissions policy for major projects has finally been outlined by the West Australian government, which aims to achieve net zero by 2050.
Until now, WA has been the only Australian state without a net zero emissions target and still has no renewable energy goal, but the McGowan government is developing a broader climate policy that will be released next year.
Energy minister Bill Johnston announced the “aspiration” in parliament on Wednesday, saying it provided industry the certainty it sought for future major projects.
In March, WA’s Environmental Protection Authority was forced to rescind a guideline recommending carbon neutrality for new or expanding projects with emissions higher than 100,000 tonnes a year after an uproar from the oil and gas industry.
The latest Climate Council scorecard shows Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW have a 2050 net zero emissions target, while the ACT is more ambitious with a 2045 goal.
