The emission projections released by Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor on Thursday, showed Australia is on track to reduce emissions by 28%.

This is based on 2005 levels by 2030, which is a 2% improvement on its previous commitments. If a further 56 million tonnes of emission are prevented, there will also be no requirement for the government to use its Kyoto credits from the previous Kyoto agreement. Australia has 459 million tonnes of carry-over credit available from the Kyoto agreement that the government could use as part of the latest Paris agreement. The international community believe using the Kyoto credits is not in the spirit of the Paris agreement.

COVID-19 has assisted the government to reduce emissions with:

• more people working from home
• fewer emission for transport including flights and road transport
• the continued uptake of roof-top solar offsetting grid connected fossil fuel generation

Modelling from the Morrison government’s $18 billion technology investment road map, will help reduce emission by 145 million tones over the next decade.

In a recent international conference of leaders, the Prime Minister restated when it comes to net zero emissions, “Australia would like to meet that as quickly as possible, as quickly as it’s able”.

The continued positive outlook for this year is that emissions from the electricity sector will continue to stay low, due to:

• fossil fuel generation being offset by renewables
• continued increase in the take up of roof-top solar

International Energy Agency has forecast, emissions from Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and coal production are projected to increase to 2030, as Australia’s energy exports are projected to increase.