Budget papers show Morrison government to reduce annual climate spending over next four years

The 2022 budget papers show climate spending is expected to fall from $2bn next financial year to $1.9bn, $1.5bn and $1.3bn in the three years that follow. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

On the climate crisis and the natural environment, the story of the 2022-23 budget is one of what isn’t there as much as what is.

Armed with scientific warnings about the need for all countries to rapidly scale up action to keep alive the chance of limiting global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, the Morrison government expects to reduce annual climate spending year-on-year in the next term if returned to power.