The great climate debate continues, even more so this week as over a hundred countries meet in Glasgow to determine a path forward.

While Australia contributes just 1.3% of total global emissions, we have reduced our emissions faster than many other developed nations, including Canada, Japan and the United States who all contribute significantly more to global emissions than Australia. China alone contributes 27% and hasn’t even come to the table, while Australia has and will continue to over-achieve on this front on the world stage.

The fact is, our emissions are more than 20% down on 2005 levels, while our economy has grown 45% over that very same period. We have already beaten our 2020 targets and are well on track to over-achieve on our 2030 targets. In fact, the latest forecasts show we will reduce emissions by 30-35% by 2030, well above our 26-28% target under the Paris Agreement.

I believe the future is in green and blue hydrogen and in all types of renewables, including ones that I am sure we are yet to create. The simple fact is however that nuclear energy must also be put on the table for future consideration.

My focus remains with the regions and ensuring that we secure appropriate concessions for stronger safeguards for regional communities and regional jobs. That is my number one priority, always has been, to ensure that we protect regional and rural Australian jobs, I’ve made no secret of this.

Keeping all of this in mind, I believe that the safeguards that The National Party collectively secured in relation to Australia’s Net Zero 2050 obligations will help the regions and will continue to provide stability and prosperity in the local job market, whether that be the resource sector or agriculture or transport. I was confident walking out of the party room in October that regional and rural Australians are much better off now than what they were before we entered that room to commence negotiations.

I encourage everyone to have a look at Australia’s Net Zero 2050 plan to understand how our country will address this important issue, now available here: https://www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/australias-long-term-emissions-reduction-plan