The Liberal Party of Australia has formally discarded its commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, while signalling that a carbon-neutral future remains a “welcome outcome”. In a shadow ministry meeting following a near five-hour party room debate on 12 November 2025, the party agreed to remain in the Paris Agreement, adopt interim climate targets when in government and pursue a technology-neutral approach emphasising affordable, reliable energy rather than mandating a hard net zero goal.
The decision emerged after a sharper divide than the public often sees. At the party room meeting, 28 speakers backed scrapping the 2050 net zero target outright, 17 supported retaining it in some form, and four remained undecided. Conservatives within the party, including Angus Taylor, Andrew Hastie and senior figures aligned with them, pushed for the change; moderates such as Andrew Bragg and Julian Leeser opposed it, warning of electoral risk.
In announcing the shift, Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan framed the policy around two core principles: ensuring “a stable and reliable energy grid with affordable power for households and business” and reducing emissions in a way that “ensures Australia does its fair share”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by accusing the opposition of undermining Australia’s global credibility. At a press conference he said: “And that message was surely received, not so much by the party room, because that’s a matter for them, their clown show that they’ve become. It was a sign for the Australian people of how divided they are.”
The implications cut across politics, climate policy and the economy. By stepping away from a legislated 2050 target, the Liberals opened the door to a looser framework of emissions reduction, seeking to rely on technology change rather than regulation or taxes to drive action. Analysts warn this may weaken policy certainty for business and investment in renewable industries.
For voters, the shift raises questions about how the party balances regional and urban concerns. The conservatives argue many voters see net zero as a burden on cost-of-living and energy. Moderates counter that younger and urban electorates see strong climate credentials as increasingly vital. Internal polling presented to the party director showed many Australians equate net zero with taking meaningful action on climate change.
Some experts say it weakens Australia’s negotiating hand in climate diplomacy. Domestically, it signals a new era for the Liberal Party’s policy on energy and emissions, one where the formal target is dropped yet a qualitative aspiration remains.
The turn was welcomed by Queensland Senator, Malcolm Roberts, from One Nation, who said: ‘Time to put Australia FIRST,’ and reiterated his party’s long-held opposition to net zero.
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