Green ties with Beijing vital for Canberra: Experts

Stronger collaboration with China in renewable energy will be critical for Australia to achieve its newly announced emissions reduction goal, experts say.

Canberra on Thursday unveiled its 2035 climate target, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 62 to 70 percent from 2005 levels over the next decade.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the goal as "a responsible target, backed by science, backed by a practical plan to get there and built on proven technology".

He told reporters in Sydney that the plan would protect the environment, create jobs, strengthen the economy, and serve both current and future generations.

Given the ambitious target, experts said it will create new opportunities for cooperation between China and Australia to achieve efficient decarbonization.

"Collaboration will be absolutely essential in meeting this ambitious target," said John Grimes, CEO of Australia's Smart Energy Council and chair-elect of the Global Solar Council.

"By 2035, the entire energy sector in Australia will need to be powered by renewable energy and energy storage.

"This is an opportunity to accelerate the very close collaboration between Australia and China in the field of renewable energy," added Grimes, who is also CEO of Renewable Energy Council Asia-Pacific.

The Australian government has identified five priority areas that will drive emissions cuts, including expanding clean electricity across the economy and increasing the use of clean fuels.

It also unveiled more than A$8 billion ($5.28 billion) in new funding, with investments in EV charging, household energy efficiency and community initiatives.

Matt Kean, chairman of Australia's Climate Change Authority, said the new target will deliver real and critical outcomes for Australians.

"Firstly, opportunity — opportunity for our people, farmers, businesses, regions, cities and economy. And secondly, delivering a cleaner, safer and better world for future generations of Australians," Kean said.

The shift represents "an economic growth opportunity, not a drag", and will position Australia as "a global leader on climate ambition", he said.

Steven Ducat, China director of Renewable Energy Council Asia-Pacific and vice-chair of the China Australia Free Trade Association Forum, underscored the importance of national leadership in driving industrial transformation.

"When I first arrived in China 25 years ago, the challenge was keeping the lights on. Today, I've had a front-row seat to the most staggering industrial transformation in history, from routine blackouts to building the most advanced and reliable grid on earth," Ducat said.

The miracle was the result of a national strategy in which industry, government and science were aligned on a single mission, he said.

To reach its 2035 goal, Australia must "deliver a fivefold multiplication of our entire industrial effort in a single decade", he said.

Moving from vision to reality requires a fundamental shift in national mindset, he added.

"We need a fundamental shift in our national thinking, from financing the first prototype to underwriting the first giga-factory."

He said Australia should take a more proactive role in partnering with China — collaborating on technological expertise and pursuing joint ventures to build the industries and green-collar jobs of the future.

xinxin@chinadaily.com.cn