Australia risks failing on renewable energy – but two steps could help fix that

‘Renewable energy generation has surged in recent years and now provides about 36%, but estimates suggest the pace of construction needs to at least double if Labor is to be as good as its word.’ Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Labor’s claim that Australia’s national electricity grid would be running on 82% renewable energy by 2030 started as a projection, but at some point it effectively became a target. The Albanese government is as responsible for this as anyone, having implied it’s where the country is inevitably headed.

Depending on what happens at the next couple of elections, the government will be seen to have failed if the country doesn’t get there. Among other things, it is a necessary step for Australia to reach its minimum 2030 emissions reduction goal and make deeper cuts in line with scientific advice.