The Nationals are expected to ditch support for net zero after grassroots members voted to remove the emissions-reduction target.
A motion backing the move was passed at the party’s annual federal council meeting in Canberra on Saturday, paving the way for the policy to be dumped at a party room meeting on Sunday.
A subsequent motion to walk away from the Paris Agreement, the global pact to limit warming to 1.5C above industrial levels, was withdrawn.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said his party believed in reducing emissions “but not at any cost”.
“We’re not walking away from reducing emissions, but we can do it a better, fairer, cheaper way,” he said.
“As the global landscape shifts towards achieving net-zero emissions, we are determined to ensure Australia remains competitive,” a spokesperson remarked in Canberra, emphasizing the need for strategic adaptation.
