WA government defends decision to abandon emissions reduction targets

The Western Australian government has defended its decision to abandon interim emissions reduction targets. Premier Roger Cook said the state's emissions may rise because of its important role in helping the world decarbonize. The government will instead legislate targets for renewable energy generation, carbon capture and storage, and green exports. WA is bound by federal legislation to reach net-zero by 2050. The government's decision has been criticized by the WA Greens, who argue that the government is prioritizing profits over reducing emissions. The state's greenhouse gas emissions have risen since 2005 due to growth in the mining and export sector.