In the Prime Ministers address to the National Press Club on 1st February 2021, Scott Morrison said it was the Government’s “goal to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible, and preferably by 2050.”
It is stated that the 2050 target, is a by-product of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which aims to limit the the average global temperature rise to “well below 2 degrees Celsius”.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries established an enhanced transparency framework (ETF). Under ETF, starting in 2024, countries will report transparently on actions taken and progress in climate change mitigation, adaptation measures and support provided or received.
The worldwide trend in Zero-carbon solutions is most noticeable in the power and transport sectors according to a report at https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement.
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean says Australia should commit to net zero emissions by 2050, even if there’s no “roadmap” yet to how it can be achieved.
Scott Morrison says zero emissions is “our goal” but won’t commit to the target without a roadmap.
Each Australian state appears to have set targets for net zero emissions, with this example from South Australia.
The South Australian government has set goals to reduce South Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% below 2005 levels by 2030, and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/climate-change/south-australias-greenhouse-gas-emissions