NT abandons 2030 greenhouse target as it goes all in on fracking

An election promise to implement a 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target has been abandoned by the Northern Territory as it vigorously pushes for more mining and energy projects. 

The Northern Territory government had not adopted the 43 per cent reduction target, Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne confirmed during a budget estimates hearing.

eetalSix weeks out from winning the 2024 election, the Country Liberal Party committed to that reduction figure. Now, the 2030 target “is not current government policy”, Burgoyne told the hearing on Tuesday. It follows the recent decision by the CLP government to drop the 2030 renewable energy target.

However, the NT environment minister said a commitment to a broader target of net zero by 2050 had not changed.

Australia is committed to cutting emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, under the Paris agreement on climate change.

The CLP government dropped Labor’s legislated 50 per cent renewable energy target in March, despite supporting it in opposition.

Environment Centre NT slammed the government’s broken promise and Burgoyne’s claim that climate change provided risks and opportunities for the territory.

“Saying climate change is an opportunity is tone-deaf and insulting to territorians who are struggling with rising energy costs and already feeling the impacts of climate change,” the organisation said in a statement on Thursday. 

“You can’t claim to be serious about climate change while fast-tracking new gas projects like fracking in the Beetaloo and the Middle Arm gas and petrochemical hub, and abandoning emissions targets completely.” 

The NT government has committed to attract more mining and energy projects to boost its income and reduce reliance on federal funding.   

AAP