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The move by a major developed nation to scrap its legally-binding net-zero pledge raises serious questions about global climate solidarity and the future of climate financing for vulnerable countries like Kenya.

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.
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:
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.