• Australia pledges to reduce emissions by 62-70% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels.
• The target is viewed as lower-than-expected by environmentalists.
• Australia's new goals rank above Canada and New Zealand but below the UK's ambitions.
• Recent climate risk assessments highlight rising threats from climate change.
• Political tensions arise over continued investment in fossil fuels despite green pledges.

On Thursday, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a commitment to cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 62% to 70% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels. Previously, Australia had pledged a 43% reduction by 2030, a target now deemed inadequate in light of escalating climate risks. Albanese stated, "We listen to the science and we act in Australia's national interest," highlighting an increased urgency in tackling climate change, especially as Australia grapples with severe weather events. This announcement aligns with the commitments expected under the Paris Climate Agreement, according to The Jakarta Post and Reuters.

Despite the ambitious announcement, many environmentalists have criticized the target as less ambitious than anticipated. Reports indicate it falls below the previously suggested range of 65% to 75%, which was backed by the government’s own Climate Change Authority. Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, stated that reaching above 70% was deemed "not achievable," a view that has been met with backlash from groups like Greenpeace, who argue this is a concession to the fossil fuel industry. Environmental advocates claim the government's decisions contribute to dangerous consequences for vulnerable communities, according to BBC and Reuters.

Australia's current environmental strategies have sparked a mixed response. While the new emissions target may indicate a progressive stance compared to previous goals, the commitment to continue investing in fossil fuel projects, such as the recently extended timeframe for the Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project, has raised concerns. Critics argue these initiatives contradict the aims of becoming a renewable energy superpower and jeopardize Australia's international credibility, especially among Pacific nations who face existential threats from climate change. The government has also announced significant investments in clean energy, with A$5 billion allocated for industrial decarbonization, showing a tension between traditional resource reliance and the shift towards sustainable practices, according to The Jakarta Post and Reuters.

A national climate risk assessment underscored the dire consequences of climate inaction, predicting that over a million Australians could see their homes threatened by rising sea levels and severe weather by 2050. The government faces mounting pressure to balance economic interests with genuine commitments to sustainability, as it gears up to present its plans to the UN before the upcoming climate summit in Brazil, according to BBC and Reuters.