The Federal Election is a matter of weeks away. Whoever we elect will be in power most of the way to 2030 – the end of this critical decade for climate action. It’s a big deal: the policies that Australians back at the ballot box this year will shape the future for our kids, their kids, and generations to come. No pressure, right?
We know what you’re thinking: When it comes to climate change, how do the different federal political parties stack up? How can local candidates support our shift to a cleaner and more prosperous economy? And how can I make sure I’ve got all the information I need to make an informed decision about who I want to pick to lead us in this pivotal moment for climate action?
Well, today’s your lucky day. We’ve compiled all our information and resources about the upcoming Federal Election and what it means for climate change into this resource hub. Enjoy!
Resources
REPORT: Climate Crossroads: Progress, Politics and a Pivotal Election’
The Climate Council’s latest report assesses the track records and promises of the major parties and key crossbenchers, based on expert analysis of policy platforms and voting history. The report finds that voters have a clear choice on the two major parties: between Labor, which has a credible plan to cut climate pollution, and the Federal Coalition, which is proposing polluting policies that will put more of us in harm’s way.
EXPLAINER: Ten practical policies to help the next Australian Government cut climate pollution
We’ve crunched the numbers and landed on 10 practical policies that Australia’s next government should deliver that make necessary cuts to climate pollution while building a cleaner and stronger economy. These 10 policies will slash climate pollution while also benefitting families, workers, and businesses; ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
SCORECARD: How do the biggest parties measure up on climate policy?
Curious as to where the three largest political parties in Australia stand on climate and energy policy? Look no further! We’ve summarised the climate and energy policies of the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal National Party, and the Australian Greens so you can vote in the 2025 federal election armed with the facts.
WEBINAR – Election 2025: Mission Critical
Watch the highlights of our webinar to learn more about why the upcoming election is mission critical for our climate – and what you can do to help make climate a deciding factor at the ballot box.
HEAT MAP: How hot will your electorate get?
The Climate Council’s Heat Map of Australia is an interactive tool that shows how cutting climate pollution can limit extreme heat in your electorate. It projects the average number of hot and very hot days, as well as very hot nights, for each suburb and electorate per year by 2050 and 2090, and across three scenarios: no action, continuing with existing action, and taking necessary action to slash pollution in line with Climate Council’s recommendations.
TV AD CAMPAIGN: “Vote like your life depends on it”
The Climate Council has launched a hard-hitting advertising campaign to remind voters to put climate first at the ballot box. Take a look at Former Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner and Climate Councillor Greg Mullins, who warns that another climate-fuelled disaster on the scale of Black Summer is coming—and that this Federal Election is a critical opportunity to vote for stronger climate action to keep Australians safer from the worst impacts of climate change.
Social media
Sharing our content is a valuable way for you to use your platform and network to put science-based climate information in front of as many people as possible, helping them to vote with climate in mind this election. You can find us on:
We have also created a suite of social media content for you/your organisation to download and share amongst your networks. Click here to see our full social media pack for assets, suggested captions, and more!
What can I do?
When it comes to climate pollution, everything we do now matters. And that includes making informed decisions when we head to the ballot box. It’s time for Aussies to vote like our lives depend on it – because they do.
- Pledge your support for a climate-focused Federal Parliament by adding your name to our pledge. When you sign, your local candidate will be sent an email informing them of your pledge and asking them to commit to policies that slash pollution in line with what the science tells us is necessary. TAKE THE PLEDGE
- Make sure you don’t miss Climate Council’s upcoming reports, explainers, and events! Subscribe today and stay tuned to our emails for more information.
- Use your voice – share our content on social media (you can find our accounts below), have conversations with your friends and family (check out our conversation guides here), and encourage those around you to put climate first this election.
The future of our kids, their kids and generations to come is on the ballot this Federal Election.
Show our kids we fought for their future
FAQs
Who should people vote for?
Australian are sick of climate change being politicised. It’s taken too long to get as far as we have on this issue at a federal level. Our analysis of the 47th Parliament shows we’re finally making progress on climate change, and at this election there’s a clear choice: we can listen to what Australians want and build on the progress that’s being made, or risk going backwards.
When we analysed the actions of the major parties and their proposals, we found one party ranks worst on climate action: the Federal Liberal-National Coalition. This party has consistently voted against progress, and spoken up against any policies that cut climate pollution in the electricity, transport and industrial sectors.
Worse, the Federal Coalition *still* has no plan to cut climate pollution. In fact, independent analysis shows their nuclear scheme would be a climate disaster by adding two billion more tonnes of pollution.
The Climate Council encourages all Australians to vote like our lives depend on it. Because they do.
But don’t Australians care more about the cost of living than climate change?
Polling has consistently shown that a majority of Australians are concerned about climate change, and want politicians to act on this issue. Since the last federal election, when a wave of pro-climate independent candidates were elected off the back of strong climate change platforms, we have started to see some progress at the federal level.
This election, there’s a choice to make: we can listen to what Australians want and build on the progress that’s being made in rolling out renewable power and clean transport, or risk going backwards and locking in ever- worsening extreme weather.
Who is better on climate: the ALP or the Coalition?
The differences between the two major parties on the issue of climate change are stark.
The Federal Coalition has consistently voted against any measure that cuts climate pollution, saying “no” to building more renewable energy and storage; saying “no” to cleaner and more efficient cars becoming available in Australia; and saying “no” to regulating the biggest industrial polluters in our economy.
Their signature policy is to build nuclear reactors eventually, way off into the 2040s. This is a risky idea, because:
- It means two billion more tonnes of climate pollution; roughly four times the amount of pollution produced by Australia, in total, each year. In other words, Peter Dutton’s nuclear scheme is a climate disaster.
- Analysis by the independent Climate Change Authority showed that those extra emissions would blow up our climate goals, and our chances of securing a safer future for our kids.
- Analysis by the independent CSIRO, our premier science agency, shows nuclear energy is the fastest way to drive up people’s power bills – and with everyone already struggling with the costs of living, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
In contrast, we have seen progress under this ALP Government, with our first national climate laws, clear targets for cutting climate pollution overall as well as within our electricity sector, and overdue regulation of both the industry and transport sectors.
Without a doubt, the ALP can be doing a lot more to cut climate pollution further and faster, it is clear that one major party has a climate plan (and the policies that back that in) and the other has none.
But isn’t it true that ALP has approved major fossil fuel projects while in government?
After a decade of inaction on climate under successive Liberal-National Coalition governments, the Albanese Labor Government revived climate action nationally during the most recent Parliament. Unfortunately, there have also been some significant policy failures under their watch in the past three years, including approval of 26 new coal, oil and gas projects.
Politicians from both major parties have a dangerous attachment to polluting coal, oil and gas, which is overheating our planet, worsening extreme weather and harming Australians. We need all politicians to stop prolonging these harmful industries and start prioritising the health, safety and prosperity of their voters.
What is the Climate Council’s stance on the Federal Coalition’s nuclear scheme?
The Federal Coalition’s nuclear scheme would cost Australians a bomb. It’s a risky, expensive fantasy that would see Australians taxpayers on the hook for more than $600 billion for a fraction of the electricity we actually need. The real danger is delaying the solutions we’re already rolling out – like building more renewable energy backed by storage, which is the most affordable way to keep the lights on.
If you want more info on why the Coalition’s nuclear scheme is too risky, expensive and polluting for Australia, check out our explainer here.
Now that Trump is in charge of the US, does what we do here in Australia even matter?
In short: yes. The shift away from fossil fuels and towards a cleaner, safer economy is a global megatrend that cannot be undone, no matter who sits in the White House. But more importantly, everything we do now matters.
Every step we take to cut climate pollution increases our chances of securing a safer future for our kids. We think that is worth fighting for. The majority of Australians are worried about their kids’ future, and want to see politicians address climate change. Now is the time to go further and faster than ever before. Let’s get on with it!
If you have any questions, comments, or resource suggestions, please email info@climatecouncil.org.au.
Climate Council is non-partisan and advocates for evidence-based policies that will progress science-aligned climate action.
Authorised by Amanda McKenzie, Climate Council of Australia Ltd, 1 Nicholson St, East Melbourne.
