Australia climate policy reforms will inch forwards

Significance

Australia’s two main parties are struggling to craft pro-climate policies that are also electorally attractive; climate policies have contributed to the end of several political careers.

Impacts

• The incoming US Biden administration will encourage Australia to adopt more pro-environment policies.
• This will put pressure on the Morrison government: the opposition will exploit the appearance of any US-Australia cracks.
• Further incidence of damaging bushfires will add pressure on government to support pro-climate policies.
• Labor will likely embrace the 2050 net-zero emissions target, but the Liberal-National coalition probably will not.