The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has urged the Australian Government to commit to net zero emissions by 2035.
In its new position statement, ATSE has highlighted the need for immediate, substantial, and coordinated action to save the dwindling window of reducing global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Academy has emphasised the need for Australia and the world to address climate change, stating that scientific evidence is crucial and ambitious targets are needed to drive technological innovation, regulatory change, workforce upskilling, infrastructure development, and economic investment to support decarbonisation.
According to ATSE President Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE, the Academy is advocating for a national effort across all Australian sectors, governments, and industries to create an ambitious benchmark for innovation that will equip the country to become the renewable energy powerhouse it aims to be.
“The science is unequivocal, the climate induced catastrophes are irrefutable. ATSE calls for leaders across every Australian sector to join us in making Australia a frontrunner amongst global peers, in setting an ambitious target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” Dr Woodthorpe said.
Dr Woodthorpe stated the science-based target aims to set a benchmark for Australian action, incentivising investment in innovative low-carbon technologies and providing a clear guide for industry and governments to rapidly deploy existing and mature technologies and develop emerging ones.
“To meet this ambition, with the Federal Government in the driver’s seat, Australia should prioritise upskilling our workforce, and develop and urgently apply evidence-based solutions across all industry sectors – particularly in energy, transportation, manufacturing, construction, minerals and agriculture,” she added.
“Meeting this target will be a monumental challenge, but with immediate and large-scale action to invest in skills and infrastructure, as well as political, policy and regulatory support at all levels, it is achievable,” she continued.
In addition, the position statement advocates for a national net zero emissions policy and implementation framework that prioritises the problem while simultaneously addressing the opportunity to transform Australia’s economy, a zero-waste approach to supply chains, and decrease the consequences of human activity on biodiversity.
“We congratulate the Federal Government on the significant progress to date. However, we are making up for lost time and the pace of our low-carbon transition today, determines our tomorrow. Setting an ambitious target, based on science, which will act as a lightning rod for urgent government, industry and academic collaboration, is a no regrets step toward a net zero future,” Dr Woodthorpe said.
