National Statement – COP28

I begin with an acknowledgement that at the heart of action on climate change must be profound respect for those people who have cared for our respective lands for millennia – 
 
Indigenous people across the world.
 
I reaffirm our Government's commitment to the inclusion of our First Nations people in our climate change response and clean energy future.
 
Recognising that respect for Indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices is critical.
 
Friends –
 
Last year, I told you that Australia was back.
 
That we had increased our NDC to a 43% reduction by 2030, and made it a law of the land.
 
Underpinned by a transformation of our electricity system to reach 82% renewables this decade.
 
This year, we’ve been busy bringing those targets into reach.
 
Last month I delivered Australia’s second Annual Climate Change Statement.
 
It included our national projections, showing that Australia is in striking distance of reaching our point target.
 
And on track to beat our 10-year carbon budget.
 
These hard-earned gains have been made by our efforts to massively boost renewable energy and our reforms to industrial emissions.
 
These put a cap on pollution from our 215 biggest emitters, requiring them to reduce emissions to meet net zero by 2050.
 
We’ve announced a landmark expansion to the Capacity Investment Scheme, to deliver reliable, affordable, renewable energy right across the country.
 
This will more than double the amount of renewable energy and clean dispatchable capacity currently in our east coast market.
 
I’ll be frank – this is more progress for Australia in 12 months than in 10 years.
 
While I am pleased with this I am still not satisfied.
 
Because there is still so much more to do.
 
We have all come so far, yet we find ourselves at the beginning, not the end.
 
And we need to look at this world with new eyes.
 
Because the world is not how we saw it in 1992.
 
We need to find the means that are necessary to support those that need it most.
 
Which means support from more sources, both public and private.
 
And we need to see a pathway back to safety through a strong Global Stocktake.
 
The Global Stocktake will show that we are not on track to keep 1.5 degrees alive.
 
We took a step forward with new language in the Pacific this year. All Pacific Island Forum members agreed to transition away from coal, oil and gas in our energy systems, in line with IPCC pathways for 1.5 degrees, with a peak in fossil fuel consumption in the near term.
 
We are being swept along towards dangerous degrees of warming and we must urgently course correct.
 
So while pledges are important – the world needs to back it up with action now too.
 
We need all countries to commit to policies and programs that bring their targets into reach.
 
The evidence of the climate crisis isn't just in data and in journals -
 
It's in the lived experiences of our citizens right now. 
 
The area I represent in Western Sydney is suffering through a heatwave as we speak, with temperatures reaching an unseasonal 42 degrees today.
 
That's pressure on our emergency services, our energy system and our most vulnerable. 
 
And it's becoming more severe, and more frequent. 
 
Including for the communities that were built around heavy and high-emitting industries – who built our cities and societies.
 
Which is why we have established a Net Zero Economy Agency, to focus like a laser on new, clean energy job opportunities for our regions.
 
To empower them to continue to power the world for generations to come.
 
Climate change is the biggest threat to the prosperity and security of the people across our Blue Pacific Continent.
 
Which is why the Prime Ministers of Australia and Tuvalu signed the Falepili Union last month.
 
In recognition of the deep and longstanding connection between our two countries.
 
And because we come from the same Pacific family, who share an ocean and a future.
 
Which is why we are proud to be bidding to host a COP in partnership with the Pacific.
 
And why I announced yesterday that Australia will contribute $100 million towards the Pacific Resilience Facility.
 
To help our region respond to loss and damage with dignity and courage. 
 
In the way of their choosing and the way that works best.
 
It’s also why, as important as every country’s domestic decarbonisation is, those of us with massive renewable potential must share it – hence Australia’s determination to become a global renewable energy superpower.
 
Now is not the time to drift further apart.
 
We must look at our future and our fates and redouble our efforts to bring down our emissions and get our world back on track.
 
Thank you.