COP26 has concluded with the Australian government refusing to update the emissions-cutting target of 26 per cent to 28 per cent by 2030.

The weakening in terminology from “phase out” to “phase down” follows as Australia will not be joining the Glasgow agreement for countries to eliminate reliance of fossil fuel use.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the pact to “phase down” coal does not signal the end of the coal industry, explaining that, “For all of those who are working in that industry in Australia, they’ll continue to be working in that industry for decades to come”. The comments are in contrast to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said that the agreement “sounded the death knell for coal power”.

With another Australian federal election due in May 2022, the government appetite for climate policy may be subject to change.

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