Opposition Leader Sussan Ley announced a significant shift in her party’s stance, declaring they will no longer back the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This decision followed an extensive five-hour meeting with party members in Canberra yesterday, as well as a smaller gathering of shadow ministers earlier today.

“The Liberal Party will eliminate the net zero target from our policy,” Ley stated during a press briefing in Canberra today.

She further explained, “If we come into power, we intend to repeal the 43 percent emissions reduction target for 2030, along with the net zero by 2050 target, from the Climate Change Act.”

While the net zero target will be dropped from the broader climate strategy of the Liberals, the party’s moderates can take some solace in their decision to remain within the framework of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

“Our commitment to the Paris Agreement remains strong, and we are dedicated to playing our part in cutting emissions,” Ley emphasized.

She concluded, “However, we’ll pursue these goals in a manner that safeguards households, respects budgets, and sustains economic growth.”

Ley used the announcement to spruik the party’s new “energy and emissions” policy.

She said this policy, in lieu of a target pledge, will help drive down surging power bills in Australia while also tackling rising emissions.

“Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction,” Ley said.

“And the Liberal Party believes we can do both. But affordable energy must come first.”

Ley claimed the Labor Party will fail in its pursuit of reducing emissions and energy prices at the same time.

Shadow Minister for Energy Dan Tehan said discussions needed to continue with the Nationals over the key climate policy change.

“I cannot think of a more thorough and respectful policy process than what we have undertaken over the last six months,” Tehan said.

Tehan said the LNP would do its “fair share” when it comes to emissions reduction.

“We will also make sure that we reduce emissions in line with comparable countries so that we will be able to look at what like-minded countries are doing,” he added.

The Wannon MP said the Liberal Party will likely move towards a “more technology agnostic policy” when it comes to energy.

“That might include, you know, a nuclear power policy in years to come,” he said, as an aside.

“But these are the kind of details that really need to be settled.”

Promise to remain in Paris Agreement 

Ley confirmed the Liberal Party would be sticking with the Paris Agreement and will submit the five-yearly emissions reduction targets required under the climate agreement.

However, the opposition leader couldn’t answer why ditching net zero by 2050 was not in breach of the agreement.

“We remain committed to Paris and we made it very clear and it isn’t our policy to set long-term targets, but net zero would be a welcome outcome,” Ley said.

Yesterday, more than half of members advocated for ditching the 2050 target.

Several conservative members of the party have driven the charge to ditch net zero, including Angus Taylor, the energy minister when net zero was initially legislated.

The net zero 2050 target was introduced by former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison in 2021, but has been the cause of bitter division among party ranks more recently.

The Liberal Party’s decision follows that of its junior Coalition partner, the Nationals, which pledged to ditch the net-zero target last month.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said that he welcomes the decision to scrap net zero by 2050.

“The Nationals embarked on a calm, considered pathway back in June to get to a position to understand and review our previous position on net zero by 2050,” Littleproud said.

“What we wanted to understand is can we live up to continuing to reducing emissions, to continue on that pathway, to do our fair share, to make sure that we do the right thing by future generations, but by doing the right thing by households and businesses today.”

Bipartisan dismay over decision

The Coalition’s policy reversal has been slammed by the government and independent MPs.

“It was a sign for the Australian people of how divided they are,” he said.

“The clown show they’ve become.”

Independent MP for Warringa Zali Steggall said the decision is “reckless” and a “massive step backwards”.

“Today’s announcement shows the federal Liberals, just like the Nationals, are now even further removed from community expectations over climate action in Australia,” Stegall said.

“This decision makes the Coalition unelectable.

“An overwhelming majority of Australian voters want real leadership on climate change – not denial and delay.”