Sat Nov 1

The current policy stance of the Liberal Party of Australia (LPA) on climate change and its net-zero target

Written by Times Media

The Liberal Party of Australia (LPA) — centre-right, traditionally pro-business, emphasising economic stability, energy reliability and managing cost of living pressures — has faced a complex balancing act on climate policy: reconciling the need to respond to climate change (and to voter sentiment) with concerns about energy costs, reliability, jobs (especially in resources/regional areas) and the economic impact of a transition.

Over recent years, the party (and the broader Coalition with the Nationals) has shifted, been internally divided, and is currently in a period of review following electoral setbacks. The climate policy and net-zero commitments are therefore in flux.

The party’s existing commitments

Net-zero by 2050

Under the government of Scott Morrison, Australia (and by extension the Coalition) accepted a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
That commitment has been part of the broader national framework. For example, the federal government states: “Australia has set a legislated target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
The Liberal Party’s public documents reference “cheaper, cleaner and consistent electricity” and a transition to a lower-emissions future. E.g., in its “Australia’s Energy Future” page: “Every Australian deserves … access to cheaper, cleaner and consistent electricity.

Emissions reduction/targets

The LPA has criticised what it describes as Labor’s “renewables-only” policy, or an approach that it argues is pushing up power bills. For example: “Labor’s ‘renewables only’ policy continues to drive-up power prices. … We need power 24/7 – especially for our hospitals, factories and freezers that need to operate around the clock.
The party has also commented on the national targets set by the government (e.g., 43% reduction by 2030) from a critical angle, arguing that power bills are increasing and the specifics of how to meet these targets are unclear.

Emphasis on reliability, affordability, technology, and energy mix

The LPA emphasises:

Affordability: Keeping power & gas bills manageable for households and businesses.
Reliability: Because some forms of renewable energy are weather-dependent, their argument stresses the need for consistent supply.
Technology neutrality / transition: For example, in “Our Plan” the statement is about “cheaper power, consistent power, cleaner power.
Resource-industry/jobs/regional fairness: The party has signalled concern about the transition impact on resource regions, and the role of domestic gas production in the medium term. E.g., the party’s energy page indicates: “We can’t rely on weather-dependent energy alone … and by ramping-up domestic gas production for affordable and reliable energy in the more immediate term.

Internal tensions & potential shifts

A key part of understanding the Liberal Party’s policy on climate change and net-zero is the internal debate and review underway.

After the 2025 federal election (where the Coalition suffered losses), there is clear evidence that the Liberal Party is reviewing all its policies including the net-zero commitment.
A front-bench figure, Senator Anne Ruston, publicly said that policy matters like net-zero and nuclear should not be part of the Coalition agreement and that the Liberal Party would develop policy in its own party room.
Some senior Liberals (e.g., Andrew Hastie) have argued that net-zero by 2050 is a “straitjacket” and should be reconsidered.
There are fears that opposing or weakening the net-zero commitment could damage the party’s standing among climate-concerned voters (especially younger and urban). For example, internal voices warn the perception of being “unserious on climate” is a risk.
Some commentary from climate-policy analysts is highly critical of the Coalition’s record and prospective policy: e.g., the Climate Council rates the Coalition’s policies as “Harmful” and says the Coalition “voted against every law to cut climate pollution in the past three year.

What the policy currently says (and what is unclear)

What it does say

From public-facing Liberal Party material:

The LPA plans a transition to “cheaper, cleaner, consistent power."
It criticises what it sees as a “renewables only” push and emphasises the need for a broader energy mix (implicitly including gas, possibly nuclear) for reliability.
Their material also includes general plans around their “Our Plan” framework (though it is light on detailed emissions-pathway or specific 2030/2035 sub-targets.

What is unclear / up for review

The Liberal Party has yet to publish a detailed emissions-reduction pathway that matches the legislated national targets under the government of the day (e.g., 43% by 2030, net-zero by 2050) in terms of modelling, sector plans, timelines.
The commitment to net-zero by 2050 is under internal review and debate — it is no longer clear whether the Party will maintain it as is, modify it, or replace it with a different target or framework.
The role of new nuclear power, the role of gas as a “transition fuel”, and how much reliance there will be on emissions-removal technologies (CCS, hydrogen, etc) remain debated and not clearly spelled out in LPA’s documents.
Given the split in views between Liberals and Nationals within the Coalition, there is uncertainty over the final joint policy platform (which influences election manifestos and long-term commitments) and what reforms the Liberal Party will choose before the next election.

Key policy features and implications

Energy-system focus

The Liberal Party proposes that:

The transition to cleaner energy must not compromise affordability and reliability.
They argue that an “all-in” approach to renewables (without sufficient backup/firming and grid investment) risks increased energy bills and instability.
To support this, the LPA emphasises domestic gas production as a near-term safeguard, and is open (or at least not opposed) to nuclear power as part of the energy mix, indicating a technology‐neutral approach.
They are also focused on “cheaper, cleaner, consistent power” as a slogan that underpins their policy messaging.
Implications: If they pursue this line, we could expect: more support for gas infrastructure and proposals; potential slower decommissioning of fossil-fuel-led generation; significant emphasis on grid investment and “firming” technologies; perhaps caution or slower uptake of more aggressive renewables targets until cost/firming issues are addressed.

Economy/household cost lens

The LPA places strong emphasis on the cost of living (energy bills), inflation, competitiveness of Australian industry. Their climate policy is framed in this broader economic context — i.e., the transition must be “orderly” and not cause price shocks or risk jobs in key industries.
For example, the Party’s energy policy materials stress that electricity and gas prices have risen significantly under the current government’s policies (from their viewpoint) and that alternative pathways must avoid burdening households and small business.
Implications: This emphasis means the policy may prioritise risk-mitigation and incremental change over very rapid or radical transformation; also may give greater weight to using transitional fossil fuels, incremental renewables growth, and technology innovation rather than abrupt phase-outs.

Responsibility and technology, not ideology

The LPA’s policy framing suggests a preference for “technology-neutral” regulation rather than picking winners by heavy subsidies or mandates.
They also emphasise that Australia needs to maintain its natural-resource strengths (minerals, gas, etc) and leverage them in the transition.
Implications: The policy environment may favour investment in hydrogen, critical minerals, battery storage, but possibly with greater caution about large-scale subsidies to pure renewables without firming and grid readiness; may also allow for continuance of gas and possibly coal with CCS for longer than some climate-advocate timelines.

Net-zero by 2050 as a floor, not a ceiling?

While the 2050 net-zero target historically has been supported (at least in principle) by the Coalition, within the Liberal Party there is now debate over whether the commitment should remain fixed, be made less binding, or be replaced with a “technology-roadmap” approach.
Some senior Liberals say the target might be a “straitjacket” that limits flexibility.
Implications: If the Party shifts, we may see a policy that either: (a) retains 2050 net-zero but modifies the pathway (e.g., slower 2030/2035 targets); or (b) abandons a strict 2050 net-zero commitment in favour of “market-led” emissions reduction plus technology investment; or (c) defines net-zero 2050 as aspirational rather than legislated. This uncertainty influences investor and industry confidence.

Strengths & Criticisms

Strengths

The LPA’s framing resonates with voters concerned about energy bills, reliability, cost of living—especially regional and resource-dependent communities.
Its emphasis on technology and resource-industry gives a credible link to Australian strengths in minerals, gas, exportable energy systems.
The recognition of the need to transition (rather than deny climate change) helps avoid appearing completely out of touch with younger and urban voters.

Criticisms

Climate and energy policy analysts argue that the Liberal Coalition’s existing policies (or lack of detailed pathway) are insufficient to meet Australia’s emissions-reduction targets, or to keep the 1.5 °C goal within reach. For example, the Climate Council concluded the Coalition’s policies would “increase climate pollution by at least 6.3 billion tonnes.'
The internal divisions and review process create uncertainty for business and investors about the continuity of climate policy, which can deter long-term investment in low-emissions technologies.
Critics say the emphasis on gas and slower transitions may lock in carbon-intensive infrastructure, increasing stranded-asset risk and delaying decarbonisation.
As the political climate shifts, especially among younger voters and urban electorates, the Liberal Party risks being perceived as lagging behind rather than leading on climate change — which may have electoral consequences. For example, one Liberal MP warned the party is perceived as “unserious on climate."

What voters/businesses should watch

For anyone interested in how this policy environment will affect business, investment, or consumers, here are key things to watch:

2030 / 2035 interim targets – Will the Liberal Party commit to a specific 2030 or 2035 emissions‐reduction number (e.g., X % below 2005 levels)? Clear targets help investors plan.
Whether net-zero by 2050 remains binding – Will the Party continue to support it as a legislated target, or move to “in-principle” support or drop it?
Energy mix and technology funding – How strongly will they support large-scale renewables, storage, hydrogen, nuclear or CCS? What is the balance between fossil transition and new clean generation/modes?
Policy detail and modelling – Will the Party release detailed modelling (costs, job impacts, sector pathways) to support its policy?
Regulatory certainty – Will business see stable policy settings (with bipartisan support) or a shifting policy environment?
Regional/resource transition support – How will the Party manage transitions in regions reliant on fossil fuels, including jobs, infrastructure, and communities?
Affordability/reliability vs decarbonisation tension – How will trade-offs between keeping energy affordable/reliable and decarbonising be managed and communicated?
International credibility – Australia’s global reputation (in trade, climate diplomacy) may be impacted by how credible the policy becomes.

Conclusion

The Liberal Party of Australia is navigating a challenging terrain: balancing climate-action imperatives with cost-of-living, energy-reliability, resource-industry and regional-jobs concerns. The net-zero by 2050 commitment remains in place in principle, but significant internal debate means the precise pathway, targets and mechanisms are under review.

For businesses, voters and stakeholders, the key takeaway is: the broad direction remains a transition to a lower-emissions economy, but the speed, scale, and mechanisms are not yet firmly locked in — and the Liberal Party’s next policy iteration will be critical in defining how seriously the transition is taken, how much risk is placed on cost/affordability, and how credible the overall plan will be.