Australia can be a net zero emissions nation by 2050 and stimulate the economy getting there, finds a new report from ClimateWorks.

Decarbonisation Futures sets out detailed evidence of how major sectors of the Australian economy can move to net zero emissions, in line with global goals of keeping warming below 1.5 or 2 degrees. The report suggests that Australia can do this by accelerating investment and deployment of technological solutions already available in sectors including electricity, buildings, transport, industry and agriculture and land.

The release of the report comes at an important time, highlighting how on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stimulus required to revive the economy will provide a critical opportunity to achieve decarbonisation to meet Australia’s international commitments while helping drive an economic recovery.

In the report, ClimateWorks propose that a transition to net zero can only happen with strong action from every level of government, businesses and individuals to support technology development, demonstration and deployment.

Analysis in the report builds on ClimateWorks’ previous report, Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation, published in 2014 with ANU and CSIRO.

More information here