Australia’s general elections are scheduled for May 21, 2022, and climate change policies are being considered one of the biggest deciders. Australia has taken multiple climate-related blows in the last decade, including the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires.

Various polls suggest that climate change action is one of the biggest demands of voters this election. However, the talking point has been absent from most of the electoral promises.

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While southern Australia is still recovering from the wrath of Black Summer bushfires, multiple towns in Queensland and New South Wales have experienced devastating floods. More than 2,000 homes were destroyed in Lismore, a town that has flooded five times in the past 60 years.

What are the current policies?

The current government, formed with a coalition, plans to decrease emissions by roughly 28% by the end of this decade. To achieve this goal, the government is not expected to stop using polluting agents like coal and gas but move to carbon capture and storage policies, Al Jazeera reported.

Australia’s main opposition right now, the Labor Party said that it plans to reduce emissions by 43% by the end of 2030. Even though this target is bigger than the current government’s goals, it is still below the recommended target of 50-75%.

Also Read: Australia records lowest unemployment rate since 1947, drops to 3.85%

What are the voters saying?

29% of the Australians said that climate change is the most important issue for them and it needs to be addressed in the upcoming elections, according to an independent poll conducted by ABC News. Climate change ranked the highest amongst all issues, with high costs of living taking second place with 13% votes.

YouGov poll conducted a survey last year that found 67% of the voters believed climate change is the most pressing issue. Out of these, 28% said they will base their vote on climate change policies.