Australia is one of only seven countries outside the European Union that has updated its 2030 national renewable target with an 18 GW boost, since the 2023 COP28 global tripling pledge.
Australia is one of only seven countries outside the European Union that have updated their 2030 national renewable energy targets, adding 18 GW since the 2023 COP28 global tripling pledge.
A new report by UK energy retailer Ember Energy, titled “What’s new with national renewable targets? Not Much!,” finds that most countries that committed to tripling renewable capacity have not taken adequate steps to meet that goal.
The report covers 96 countries and the European Union as a bloc. Together, they account for 97% of global renewable capacity, 96% of electricity sector demand, and 96% of power sector emissions as of 2024.
Australia’s target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030 is above the 60% global share set out in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Net Zero Emissions scenario, the report finds, but highlights that Australia’s fossil fuel reliance was still high in 2024 (65% of electricity, with 46% from coal).
Consequently, emissions per capita were three times the global average, the report finds, and the second highest in the Group of 20 (G20).
