Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu has expressed concern over Australia's recently announced emissions reduction target for 2035. The Australian federal government revealed its goal to cut emissions by 62 to 70 percent from 2005 levels. Regenvanu argues that this target is insufficient and should have been set at a minimum of 75 percent.

Regenvanu stated that the current target range is troubling because it allows Australia to choose the lower end of the spectrum. He emphasized the need for more ambitious goals, saying, "There should be a very hard, lowest possible number, which should be 75. So that's worrying because it provides that room for doing far less."

He highlighted Australia's significant contribution to global emissions, noting that it ranks as the third highest per capita emitter in the world. "Australia needs to do far more than just what we're seeing here," he added.

The minister also criticized the Australian government's recent decision to extend the life of Woodside's North West Shelf gas plant. He described this move as a lack of good faith in addressing the ongoing climate crisis. "To approve new projects into the future, like what happened with Woodside just last week, that's really bad faith to continue down that pathway when we all know there is a climate crisis upon us," Regenvanu said.

As discussions continue around Australia's climate policies, Regenvanu's comments reflect a growing concern among Pacific nations about the impacts of climate change and the need for stronger commitments from larger emitters.