What actions will get us to net zero faster?

Australia should aim to reduce emissions by 75% (below 2005 levels) by 2030, and to net zero by 2035. Local governments play a key role because they can influence up to 70% of emissions in their communities. In 2001, the Brisbane City Council set an emissions reduction target of 20% (below 2000 levels) by 2020. This target was abandoned and replaced with a household target of about 50% by 2031. Brisbane’s highest source of emissions is electricity, with households representing just 10% of emissions. Whereas commercial and industrial sources emit 46%.

Vicki McLeod “Greenhouse Emission Target for West End and Brisbane” Westender March 29, 2022

Snapshot “Brisbane 2019 municipal emissions snapshot”

Image: Four children carrying a banner reading ‘Protect country protect culture-ban fracking’ at the School Strike 4 Climate Brisbane rally. Courtesy: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, FL1158615.