Coal and gas-fired power plant operators, alongside prominent business groups, want the Coalition to maintain the current climate target.

Industry lobby the Australian Energy Council, in conjunction with the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group, say that maintaining the 2030 interim target for a 43 per cent reduction compared to 2005 levels is a critical step towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Despite acknowledging the challenges posed by the 43 per cent target, the business groups insisted that efforts to meet this goal must persist. 

They have rejected opposition leader Peter Dutton’s assertion that the target was “unachievable”. 

Dutton has taken a stance in opposition to the legislated target, and says that the Coalition would not propose an alternative emissions reduction target for 2030 before the next election, due by May 2025.

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