Oil Change International response to Australia’s updated national climate plan
For immediate release
“As one of the most egregious fossil fuel expanders in the world, we already knew the bar for Australia’s new national climate plan would be low, but this is a dangerous betrayal.”
Melbourne, 18 September 2025 – Today, Australia submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Action next week.
The updated NDC proposes an emissions reduction range of 62%-70%, a target that fails to align with avoiding breaching the 1.5°C temperature limit – which energy experts say needs to be at least 75% in order to meet minimum requirements. In addition, Australia’s resource plan has failed to include a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuel production and exports, despite the COP28 agreement all countries made to transition away from fossil fuels in an equitable manner.
Recent Oil Change International analysis shows that Australia is among a group of four rich, Global North countries, alongside the U.S., Canada, and Norway, responsible for nearly 70% of projected carbon-dioxide (CO2) pollution from new oil and gas fields and fracking wells between 2025 and 2035.
In response, David Tong, Global Industry lead at Oil Change International, said:
“As one of the most egregious fossil fuel expanders in the world, we already knew the bar for Australia’s new national climate plan would be low, but this is a dangerous betrayal. Not only did Australia commit to an emissions reduction target that is not in line with the 1.5°C temperature limit, but it also indicated no plan to phase out fossil fuel production.
“Australia cannot ethically pose as a climate leader, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is planning to extend the life of one of the most polluting gas projects in the southern hemisphere until 2070. This single mega-project would spew an estimated 4.4 gigatonnes of climate pollution – blowing past the 1.5°C survival limit. If Australia succeeds in its bid to host next year’s climate talks and wants to be taken seriously, it must put an immediate end to fossil fuel expansion and step up with real public finance on fair terms for a just energy transition.”