Like many countries around the world, Australia has set climate targets to cut fossil fuel pollution and shift to cleaner energy. The plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent (compared to 2005 levels) by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.   

What that means in practice is moving away from fossil fuels and relying more on renewable energy. The goal the government has set is getting 82 per cent of the country’s electricity from sources like solar and wind by the end of the decade. So, are we on track? 

In 2024, renewable energy supplied 40 per cent of Australia's total electricity, up from 39.4 per cent in 2023. Early this year, the share reached 43 per cent and projections suggest we are on track to hit 50 per cent by the end of 2025. States like the ACT (100 per cent renewables), Tasmania (98 per cent renewables) and South Australia (74 per cent renewables) are leading the renewables race, while others aren’t advancing as quickly.   

Australia renewable energy progress (Source: Climate Council)

However, reports indicate the government’s 82 per cent renewable energy target for the Australia’s power sector doesn’t fully cover off-grid electricity generation systems common in remote and mining regions of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, which operate independently of the national grid.  

While some sites are beginning to adopt solar and battery solutions, there is still a gap in the transition. According to the International Energy Agency and Natalie Thompson (senior analyst at Wood Mackenzie), current policies indicate that renewables will constitute only 58 per cent of the power mix by 2030.  

So, while doubling the share of renewable electricity in the main grid in under six years is a big step forward for Australia, there’s still more to be done to stay on track for 2030.  

How about emissions from other areas?  

In the first quarter of 2025, just 6.3 per cent of all new cars sold in Australia were electric vehicles (EV) – the lowest market share in two years. While EV sales reached 17,914 units, this marked a decline from late 2024 levels despite the launch of the federal government’s national fuel efficiency standards. 

Based on Climate Action Tracker (CAT), the transport sector is set to become the country’s greatest source of emissions by 2030. Australia’s electric vehicle uptake remains slow compared with other OECD countries and we still have a long way to catch up.  

Additionally, continued approvals of new gas and coal project create increased risk of locking in pollution for decades, making it much harder for Australia to hit its 2030 climate target. With Australia bidding to host COP31, there is an urgent need for a whole-of-government effort to ensure our climate targets and leadership efforts are aligned clearly on the global stage.  

States have a real opportunity to accelerate plans across the energy transition. Victoria recently announced plans to phase out gas hot water systems in homes from 2027, marking a significant win as it has the highest gas use in Australia.  

It’s a positive shift that signals a clear path forward and other states could follow suit to drive Australia’s transition away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy and greater emissions reductions.  

What you can do  

It’s important to remember that we aren’t powerless in this transition. In fact, households have a big role to play and there are practical steps you can take right now to be part of the shift: 

Advocate for stronger policies and influence change: Talk to your local council, vote for policies and representatives aligned with the climate mission and join communities or climate groups working towards positive change. 

Writing to your MPs and signing petitions are powerful ways to make your voice heard. Not sure where to start and what to say? The Climate Council website has guides for writing effective letters and tips for talking with local representatives.  

Go electric: If you’re upgrading your hot water system, heater or stove, consider an electric option like a heat pump or induction cooktop. Our previous article shares how to make the switch to electric cooking.  

Check if there are local schemes available: Federal and state governments may offer rebates and incentives for solar panels, batteries, EVs and energy upgrades (full list here). Visit your state energy department or council websites to see what’s available and jump on the opportunity as soon as you can.   

Plan ahead for long-term: Even if you can’t make changes right now, plan ahead and get ready to make the switch. Knowing what appliances to look for or how to budget for future upgrades can put you in a better position when the time comes. Start having conversations with family, friends and neighbours about long-term benefits and how to plan for an energy-efficient home.