Invest
Morrison’s claims of greenhouse emissions falling are ‘misleading’
Changing land use regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the drought are the only reason Australia is reducing its emissions, with national emissions (excluding land use) having risen by 7 per cent from 2005, new research has revealed.
Morrison’s claims of greenhouse emissions falling are ‘misleading’
Changing land use regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the drought are the only reason Australia is reducing its emissions, with national emissions (excluding land use) having risen by 7 per cent from 2005, new research has revealed.

Despite claims of Australia reducing its emissions, the Morrison government has relied purely on luck while the rest of the world take action on climate change.
Scott Morrison used his time at last month’s climate leaders summit to hype up Australia’s action on climate change, saying the country has reduced emissions by 19 per cent compared with similar economies.
During the summit, Mr Morrison refused to lay out his plans for reaching net zero emissions, although he said Australia is on the path, with all being revealed in November during the next climate summit.
“Australia is on the pathway to net zero. Our goal is to get there as soon as we possibly can, through technology that enables and transforms our industries, not taxes that eliminate them and the jobs and livelihoods they support and create, especially in our regions,” the Prime Minister said at the time.

Failing to admit he had no plan, Mr Morrison said net zero won’t be achieved in “wine bars of our inner cities”, instead backing businesses and technological advances.
“For Australia, it is not a question of if, or even by when, for net zero, but importantly how,” Mr Morrison said.
“That is why we are investing in priority new technology solutions, through our Technology Investment Roadmap initiative.”
Despite claiming Australia is doing “more than similar economies”, new analysis shows Australia’s emissions have increased since 2005 and its emissions trends are among the worst in the developed world.
Instead, the government’s current reduction in emissions over the last 15 years are largely due to two major shocks beyond the government’s control – the drought and the COVID-19 pandemic – as well as historical changes in the amount of CO2 released from the land and forest.
“The Australian government is taking credit for changes in the land sector that have not been impacted by any federal climate policy. By contrast, key allies like the United Kingdom and United States have decreased their net emissions and are exercising real credible climate leadership, Richie Merzian, climate and energy director at The Australia Institute, said.
The Australia Institute noted that when land use, including agriculture, is excluded from analysis, Australia’s emissions have risen by 7 per cent from 2005 to 2018.
“The harsh truth is that the Australian economy has not decarbonised over the last 15 years. This might explain why the Australian government has been so reluctant to commit to a net zero target when the economy is headed in the wrong direction,” Mr Merzian said.
“In the face of increased scrutiny and pressure, and absence of any real climate policy, the Australian government is increasingly relying on accounting tricks that superficially demonstrate a solid performance on climate action,” he continued.
The institute highlighted that Australia has a long history of manipulating greenhouse accounting rules, including the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, to include changes to land use in the base year, knowing land use change would give it a major advantage, and again in the Paris Agreement when Australia moved its base year to 2005 – another high year for land clearing – and was immediately able to take credit for reductions that had already happened.
“The Australian government is shirking its responsibility to decarbonise, and this unfair stance will only put more pressure and cause more tension with other countries that will be forced to further reduce their emissions to keep the climate at a safe level,” Mr Merizan concluded.
About the author

About the author


Economy
Economist calls for July RBA rate cut following inflation data
An economist from State Street Global Advisors has called for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates in July following today's Consumer Price Index data for June. Read more

Economy
GDP data prompts economist to predict faster RBA rate cuts
Australia's latest GDP growth data has come in significantly below expectations, prompting an economist to suggest the Reserve Bank may need to ease monetary policy more aggressively. Read more

Economy
Global markets face turbulent start amid tariff concerns, but outlook remains cautious
Global equity and bond markets have experienced a turbulent start to 2025, primarily due to concerns that a potential tariff-driven trade war could heighten inflation and recession risks. Read more

Economy
RBA may cut rates faster if GDP data disappoints, economists say
The Reserve Bank of Australia may cut interest rates more quickly if next week's GDP data disappoints, economists said following today's consumer price index data for May. Read more

Economy
RBA delivers widely expected rate cut as inflation optimism balances global uncertainty
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate by 25 basis points, delivering on widespread market expectations while signalling a clearer directional shift towards less restrictive monetary ...Read more

Economy
Economist warns strong jobs data may delay further RBA rate cuts
Strong employment growth in April has put expectations for multiple interest rate cuts at risk, though upcoming economic data may clarify the need for lower rates, according to State Street Global ...Read more

Economy
Australian inflation continues downward trend, nearing RBA target
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7 per cent in the year to August, down from 3.5 per cent in July and 3.8 per cent in June. Read more

Economy
UK markets poised for gains after election, global geopolitical risks remain
Chris Iggo, Chief Investment Officer at AXA Investment Managers, has provided an optimistic outlook for UK markets following the recent general election, while cautioning about ongoing global ...Read more

Economy
Economist calls for July RBA rate cut following inflation data
An economist from State Street Global Advisors has called for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates in July following today's Consumer Price Index data for June. Read more

Economy
GDP data prompts economist to predict faster RBA rate cuts
Australia's latest GDP growth data has come in significantly below expectations, prompting an economist to suggest the Reserve Bank may need to ease monetary policy more aggressively. Read more

Economy
Global markets face turbulent start amid tariff concerns, but outlook remains cautious
Global equity and bond markets have experienced a turbulent start to 2025, primarily due to concerns that a potential tariff-driven trade war could heighten inflation and recession risks. Read more

Economy
RBA may cut rates faster if GDP data disappoints, economists say
The Reserve Bank of Australia may cut interest rates more quickly if next week's GDP data disappoints, economists said following today's consumer price index data for May. Read more

Economy
RBA delivers widely expected rate cut as inflation optimism balances global uncertainty
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate by 25 basis points, delivering on widespread market expectations while signalling a clearer directional shift towards less restrictive monetary ...Read more

Economy
Economist warns strong jobs data may delay further RBA rate cuts
Strong employment growth in April has put expectations for multiple interest rate cuts at risk, though upcoming economic data may clarify the need for lower rates, according to State Street Global ...Read more

Economy
Australian inflation continues downward trend, nearing RBA target
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7 per cent in the year to August, down from 3.5 per cent in July and 3.8 per cent in June. Read more

Economy
UK markets poised for gains after election, global geopolitical risks remain
Chris Iggo, Chief Investment Officer at AXA Investment Managers, has provided an optimistic outlook for UK markets following the recent general election, while cautioning about ongoing global ...Read more