Australia votes for stronger climate action in 'greenslide' election

By Alice Klein.

Australia's election on 21 May has been described as a greenslide after voters abandoned the long-standing pro-coal Liberal-National Coalition government in favor of candidates that support stronger action on climate change.

The Labor party won the most seats, but it is not certain if they can form a majority on their own. Anthony Albanese was sworn in as prime minister. The Australian Greens party and several independents who advocate more ambitious climate action snatched a record number of seats from the major parties.

The Greens look set to win four out of the Senate's 76 seats, their best result ever, as votes are still being counted. Independent candidates have won nine seats in the House of Representatives because of their climate focus.

The Greens and teal independents could hold the balance of power in parliament, depending on the exact number of seats won by Labor.

Adam Bandt said that the people of Australia, where voting is compulsory, have delivered a mandate for action on climate.

This is the best @Greens result in our history.

More people voted Greens than ever before.

You made it clear you want the next government to go further and faster on climate change and inequality.

We’re ready.

— Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) May 22, 2022

Mark Howden says that it is a resounding statement from the Australian public that climate change needs to be taken more seriously.

Australia has been slow to transition away from fossil fuels due to vested interests. The country still relies on fossil fuels to generate most of its electricity, despite the fact that it has the third-largest reserves of coal. It makes about A$100 billion a year from exporting coal.

During its nine years in power, the Liberal-National Coalition has tried to delay coal plant closings even when they are no longer economically viable. Scott Morrison once brought a lump of coal to parliament. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. It won't hurt you.

Three years of extreme weather, including fires and floods, have made Australians more fearful of climate change.

Labor has promised to increase Australia's target for reducing carbon emissions from 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels to 43 per cent. The party says it will invest in green hydrogen and steel and roll out more solar and battery infrastructure in order to make electric vehicles cheaper and handle more renewable energy.

There is a chance that Labor will be pushed to go further by the Greens and teal independents, who want a 75 per cent emissions reduction target. Modelling shows that Australia should contribute at least 74 per cent to keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees C.

So much joy in Australia today!!!

Congratulations to every #IndependentsDay candidate and to all of their thousands of volunteers. What a victory for democracy and genuine representative government!! https://t.co/2I6sqB3NQb

— Claudia Stephens (@42tempest) May 22, 2022

Although Australia only contributes 1 per cent of the world's carbon emissions due to its small population, the election result could still have a significant impact on the global climate.

He says that Australia has abundant sun and space for making green hydrogen and steel on a large scale, which will be needed to help the rest of the world decarbonise. The planned Asian Renewable Energy Hub in Western Australia aims to produce low-cost green hydrogen using millions of solar panels and thousands of wind turbines, which could be supported by the government.

If new leadership means that Australia becomes a renewable energy powerhouse, we could see a large stream of materials being exported to the world market, which would enable energy transitions elsewhere.

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