CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – Australia’s main opposition Liberal Party formally abandoned its commitment to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 on Thursday, 13 November 2025, a decision that sends shockwaves through the international climate action framework and raises concerns for nations like Kenya that are highly vulnerable to climate change.

In a press conference in Canberra, Liberal leader Sussan Ley confirmed that a future Coalition government would repeal the current Labor government's legislated climate targets, including the 2050 net-zero goal and the interim 2030 target of a 43% emissions reduction from 2005 levels. The party cited the high cost of the energy transition and a need to prioritize “energy affordability” for Australians as the primary reasons for the policy shift, advocating instead for extending the life of coal and gas plants and exploring nuclear energy.

While Ley insisted Australia would remain within the 2015 Paris Agreement, the move to discard a cornerstone target has been widely condemned by climate scientists as a form of climate denial and a rejection of the scientific consensus. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has repeatedly stated that reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century is critical to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a key goal of the Paris accord.

Implications for Global Climate Action and Kenya

The decision by a G20 nation to walk back a major climate commitment sets a dangerous precedent. It threatens to undermine the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” where developed nations, as historically larger emitters, are expected to lead decarbonization efforts and provide financial support to developing countries.

For Kenya, the implications are profound and multifaceted:

• Weakened Climate Finance: Kenya's climate action plans are heavily dependent on international support. The country's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement aims to reduce emissions by 35% by 2035, but 80% of this goal is conditional on receiving external funding, technology transfer, and capacity building. A retreat from ambitious targets by wealthy nations like Australia could signal a broader decline in political will for climate finance, jeopardizing funds crucial for Kenya's adaptation and mitigation projects, such as investments in renewable energy and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Erosion of Diplomatic Pressure: Kenya has been a vocal leader on climate action in Africa, co-hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in 2023 which resulted in the Nairobi Declaration. Australia's policy reversal undermines the collective global pressure on all nations to increase their climate ambitions. This could embolden other countries to weaken their own commitments, slowing global momentum and leaving climate-vulnerable nations like Kenya—which contributes minimally to global emissions but suffers disproportionately from impacts like drought and floods—dangerously exposed.
• Trade and Economic Risks: The move could isolate Australia economically as major trading partners, such as the European Union, implement carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) that tax imports from countries with less stringent climate policies. While the direct trade impact on Kenya is minimal, such global trade fragmentation can create economic instability and disrupt supply chains, with potential ripple effects for the Kenyan economy.

The policy shift was announced after a marathon five-hour meeting of Liberal MPs, where a majority reportedly voted to abandon the target. Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan stated the party would instead reduce emissions in five-year blocks, benchmarked against “comparable countries.” However, critics point out that the Paris Agreement does not permit countries to backtrack on their submitted targets.

The current Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, condemned the decision, stating it would take the country “backwards” and hurt investment in the clean energy sector. As nations prepare for the next round of climate negotiations, this decision from a key developed country casts a long shadow over the shared global commitment to averting climate catastrophe.