This research from the Australia Institute shows that the New South Wales government’s attempts to force planners to ignore the carbon emissions of the state’s coal exports contradicts NSW climate policy, the Paris Agreement, corporate expectations and economic opportunities for growth.

This report is part of a series focusing on major sectors of the Australian economy as part of the Net Zero Momentum Tracker initiative. The Tracker is designed to bring together and evaluate climate action commitments in order to help the banking sector build momentum towards net zero emissions.

This report argues that given Australia's projections, it would almost certainly be best for Australia to openly acknowledge the challenges it faces in meeting its 2020 and 2030 Paris Agreement targets, and do its utmost to put in place policies and measures that can bend its emissions trajectory.

The Australian and New Zealand Governments have committed to release long-term emissions strategies in 2020 under the Paris Agreement. This paper provides an overview of the role and implications of long-term emissions strategies for institutional investors, such as super and pension funds, in Australia and New Zealand.

The IEA’s annual flagship review, World Energy Outlook 2019, puts it bluntly. On current policies, the world is on track for a “relentless upward march in energy-related emissions."