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A former UN climate chief has urged the Australian government to set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least a 75% cut by 2035, backing calls from a group of more than 350 businesses that it would be better for the economy than a lower goal.
The intervention by Christiana Figueres, an architect of the 2015 Paris agreement when she was the executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, comes before discussions about Australia’s commitment, due to be announced next month.
Cabinet is yet to receive formal advice from the Climate Change Authority, chaired by the former NSW Liberal treasurer Matt Kean. A decision on the target is expected before Anthony Albanese attends the UN general assembly in New York in late September.
A consultation paper by the authority last year – based on an initial assessment of scientific, economic, technological and social evidence – suggested a 2035 target of between 65% and 75% below 2005 levels “would be ambitious and could be achievable if additional action is taken by governments, business, investors and households”. Since then, the government has been lobbied about what target it should set.
Figueres said setting a target of a 75% or more reduction would be “not a burden”, but instead be “Australia’s ticket into the prosperity of the future”. She suggested the ambitious goal would increase Australia’s chance to win the rights to host a major UN climate summit in Adelaide in November 2026.
Australia continues to vie with Turkey for the right to host the Cop31 summit and it is unclear when that will be resolved under the UN’s consensus decision-making process.
Portrait Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, United Nations, Climate Change Secretariat, UNFCCC. Simon Stiell in the winter garden on the 4th floor of the Climate Tower, Bonn, Germany, Europe in July 10, 2025. – Copyright Bernd Arnold.
UN climate chief warns Australia not to pick a ‘bog standard’ 2035 carbon emissions target
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“The new global economy is rising, powered by clean energy and green industry,” Figueres said. Australia can be at its heart, with unrivalled sun and wind, critical minerals and skilled labour ready to lead.
“Prime minister Albanese now has the chance to show the Pacific and the world that Australia is ready to lead at Cop31 and beyond.”
