The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed a motion calling on the government to set a clear direction for the territory’s next climate change strategy, while voting down a push to bring forward the ACT’s net zero target by five years.
The motion, moved by ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury on Tuesday, passed with the support of the full Assembly.
It calls on the government to reduce ground transport emissions; phase out fossil fuel gas; invest in climate adaptation and disaster readiness; restrict fossil fuel sponsorship and advertising; and improve coordination across government portfolios.
The government must report back to the Assembly by the first sitting day in October on how the final strategy incorporated the motion’s calls.
“Over the past year, Labor has dragged its feet on delivering a credible strategy to cut emissions in the territory,” Mr Rattenbury said. “Thanks to the Greens, we now have the clearest picture yet of what the next climate strategy will actually include, and it sets a much higher bar.
“But Labor saying they’ll do it is one thing, delivering on promises is another entirely, and Canberra deserves action, not just words. The ball is now firmly in Labor’s court.”
Independent MLA Fiona Carrick amended the motion to investigate how to encourage people to use public transport and active travel, including a stated preference survey across Canberra.
The Assembly also backed calls for the 2026–27 Budget to include additional funding and technical support for low-income households transitioning off fossil fuel gas, and increased long-term funding for climate and environment community organisations.
However, independent MLA Thomas Emerson’s motion to bring the ACT’s net zero target forward from 2045 to 2040 was defeated 17 votes to six. Only the Greens, Mr Emerson, and Ms Carrick supported the change. Both Labor and the Liberals voted against it.
Mr Emerson noted that the 2024 Independent Review of ACT Government Action on Climate Change had itself recommended bringing the net zero target forward to 2040, consistent with IPCC assessments that current national commitments risk warming beyond 2°C. The Conservation Council ACT Region also backed bringing forward the target.
Mr Emerson said he was disappointed with the major parties’ lack of ambition on climate change.
“The ACT has long been considered a climate leader, but we’re becoming complacent,” Mr Emerson said. “We need to implement a suite of bold reforms to get Canberra on a clear trajectory toward net zero… As the self-proclaimed most progressive jurisdiction in the country, the ACT plays a crucial leadership role in setting the national agenda.”
The ACT Greenhouse Gas Inventory shows only a 0.1 percentage point reduction in net emissions in the last five years: by 46.8 per cent from baseline levels in 2019–20, and by 46.9 per cent in 2024–25 — short of the territory’s interim target of 50–60 per cent by 2025.
Mr Emerson also tabled a community-led submission to the government’s climate strategy consultation process, developed through a roundtable with more than 20 local climate organisations, experts and advocates. Its 35 proposals include expanding the sustainable household scheme to cover e-bikes; trialling balcony solar panels for renters and apartment dwellers; funding bike and walking buses for school children; upgrading school infrastructure for extreme heat; and separated bike lanes on Northbourne Avenue.
“For too long, climate policy settings have tended to favour wealthier community members who’ve been able to purchase EVs, solar panels and home batteries,” Mr Emerson said. “It’s unfair that those who most need protection from fuel price shocks and rising power costs are often the most exposed to these risks because they’ve been unable to participate in the energy transition. We need to do more to actually follow through on the promise of a just transition.”
