The Climate Change Authority has completed its review of the potential technology transition and emissions pathways that best support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050. 

Commissioned by the Australian Parliament, the review considers the pathways for six sectors – agriculture and land; built environment; electricity and energy; industry and waste; transport and resources – to decarbonise. It identifies barriers and proposes strategies and actions to address them. 

The review finds there are many pathways to achieving emissions reductions with existing, mature technologies, such as solar and wind for electricity generation and batteries for energy storage getting Australia much of the way to net zero. Opportunities also exist with the rapid development of emerging low emissions technologies, such as hydrogen and engineered carbon removals.

The authority’s review identifies 6 strategies that can be incorporated in the Net Zero Plan for addressing the challenges and enabling Australia’s transition to a prosperous, net zero economy. Suggested actions for the Australian Government include working with local, state and territory governments, businesses, communities and households to build on existing climate change policies, reform development approval processes and address mounting workforce shortages. 

Sector Pathways Review – Chart data pack Excel

The CSIRO Technical report – Modelling Sectoral Pathways to Net Zero Emissions PDF

You can read more detailed information about the CSIRO’s technical report that supports the authority’s sector pathways conclusions here(Opens in a new tab/window).

Read more about the Sector Pathways Review project here.

Public submissions to 2024 issues paper: Targets, Pathways and Progress are now published and can be viewed here(Opens in a new tab/window) 

Stay informed and get involved

Stay informed: find out more about our work and consultations by subscribing here(Opens in a new tab/window). Many thanks to everyone who has already contributed to the authority’s work. 

More resources

Check out the media release. 

Public submissions to 2024 issues paper: Targets, Pathways and Progress are now published and can be viewed on our Consultation Hub(Opens in a new tab/window) 

Further reading

Two coworkers walking and discussing their tasks while surrounded by solar panels.
This paper explains how misinformation affects climate policy and what it means for the Climate Change Authority’s (the Authority’s) work.
  • Adaptation
  • Climate targets
  • Communities
  • Emissions
Climate Change Authority Chair, Matt Kean Speaking
Our Chair Matt Kean delivered a video address to the Gippsland New Energy Conference on the role of regional communities in Australia's clean energy transition…
  • Energy and electricity
Open pit coal mine in the Hunter Valley area of New South Wales, Australia.
Accelerating fossil methane reductions by identifying practical abatement opportunities, barriers to methane abatement activity and policy solutions.
  • Industry and waste

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