The ambitious climate targets set by some of Australia's biggest companies will be publicly tracked from next year in a federal government-led push to ensure they keep true to their word.
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor says the pledges by ASX 200 companies to reduce emissions is the"easy part".Almost 20 of Australia's largest firms, including household names such as BHP, Qantas, Suncorp, Fortescue Metals, Woodside, Santos, IAG and Dexus, have set net-zero aspirations within 30 years - many under pressure from global investors and environmental activists to align themselves with the goal.
Mr Taylor said the federal department would begin publishing the share of domestic units chosen by businesses to meet their ClimateActive certifications while from the 2021 financial year the Clean Energy Regulator would also publish the progress that National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting-covered businesses were making towards their commitments.
Australia has not committed to emissions targets beyond its 26-28 per cent commitment as part of the Paris agreement. Mr Taylor has pledged to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible but intended to "get there through technology, not taxation".
That sounds like LNP code for they will gift them hundreds of millions to get it done. ASX companies don't need tax payers money. ScottMorrisonMP JoshFrydenberg
I’m sure that injection money will go straight to executive salaries
‘Doing’ anything that doesn’t involve corruption is hard for Taylor