Net Zero sector plans & 2035 targets: The role for mining & energy
Media Release Date: 18 September 2025
The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy is committed to accelerating a trusted and innovative resources sector, attracting investment and delivering sustainable economic prosperity for South Australia.
Aligned with this, SACOME acknowledges the work that has been done by the Albanese Government, supported by the Climate Change Authority in setting Australia’s 2035 climate change target at a range of 62% to 70% reduction on 2005 emissions.
Focussed on building on Australia’s strengths, the Net Zero Plan highlights five priority areas for the targets on the path to net zero by 2050:
Significantly, the Albanese government’s next steps in acting on climate change with the release of the Net Zero Plan includes specific sector plans for Resources; Electricity and Energy; and Industry.
These articulate that Australia needs to be delivering affordable, clean energy, strengthening existing industrial capability and seizing emerging opportunities in the clean energy economy.
The Resources Sector Plan outlines the sector’s role in helping to build a stronger, more resilient economy by boosting local production of minerals and metals needed for clean energy and advanced technologies. The plan’s emissions profile and credible abatement pathways are anchored by the Safeguard Mechanism.
It is important that the supporting policy framework enables and supports the resources sector to remain competitive in achieving these targets.
The Plan aims to position Australia as a leading global supplier of low emissions products, encourage existing technology, attract investment and lead a fair and equitable transition, with benefits for all Australians, in line with the Future Made in Australia agenda.
In South Australia, SACOME’s members and the resources and energy sector will play a key role in enabling achievement of these federal government growth plans.
Our state’s natural resources of sun and wind, as well as our critical minerals and metals, and gas resources ensure that we are well positioned to support the national transition.
Fundamental to maximising the opportunity for South Australia is for government to work with industry to reach a mutually beneficial, globally competitive outcome.
By producing low emissions minerals and metals needed for the transition, this collaboration between government and industry will ensure the emergence of a stronger, more resilient economy, both in South Australia, and nationally.
Of critical importance for SACOME and its members is the delivery of affordable, clean and reliable energy, within a renewable energy system that will underpin decarbonisation across the economy.
Quotes from Nicola McFarlane
"The Resources Sector Plan articulates that Australia is building a stronger, more resilient economy by producing low emissions minerals and metals needed for the transition. SACOME’s members, the South Australian resources and energy sector, are key to this goal being achieved”
“It is important that the government and industry collaboratively create an environment that enables Australia to remain globally competitive. This has been highlighted in both the industry and resources sector plans, in line with the Future Made in Australia Agenda.”
“There is no doubt that resilient and focused collaboration not only within the sector, but between industry and government has the potential to drive progress, unlock new value, and shape the future of sustainable practices for the advancement of the sector.”
The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy is committed to accelerating a trusted and innovative resources sector, attracting investment and delivering sustainable economic prosperity for South Australia.
Aligned with this, SACOME acknowledges the work that has been done by the Albanese Government, supported by the Climate Change Authority in setting Australia’s 2035 climate change target at a range of 62% to 70% reduction on 2005 emissions.
Focussed on building on Australia’s strengths, the Net Zero Plan highlights five priority areas for the targets on the path to net zero by 2050:
- decarbonising and expanding the electricity network.
- electrifying wherever possible and improving energy and materials performance
- switching to low carbon fuels where electrification is not feasible
- innovating to expand emissions reductions solutions
- scaling up carbon removals to balance residual emissions.
Significantly, the Albanese government’s next steps in acting on climate change with the release of the Net Zero Plan includes specific sector plans for Resources; Electricity and Energy; and Industry.
These articulate that Australia needs to be delivering affordable, clean energy, strengthening existing industrial capability and seizing emerging opportunities in the clean energy economy.
The Resources Sector Plan outlines the sector’s role in helping to build a stronger, more resilient economy by boosting local production of minerals and metals needed for clean energy and advanced technologies. The plan’s emissions profile and credible abatement pathways are anchored by the Safeguard Mechanism.
It is important that the supporting policy framework enables and supports the resources sector to remain competitive in achieving these targets.
The Plan aims to position Australia as a leading global supplier of low emissions products, encourage existing technology, attract investment and lead a fair and equitable transition, with benefits for all Australians, in line with the Future Made in Australia agenda.
In South Australia, SACOME’s members and the resources and energy sector will play a key role in enabling achievement of these federal government growth plans.
Our state’s natural resources of sun and wind, as well as our critical minerals and metals, and gas resources ensure that we are well positioned to support the national transition.
Fundamental to maximising the opportunity for South Australia is for government to work with industry to reach a mutually beneficial, globally competitive outcome.
By producing low emissions minerals and metals needed for the transition, this collaboration between government and industry will ensure the emergence of a stronger, more resilient economy, both in South Australia, and nationally.
Of critical importance for SACOME and its members is the delivery of affordable, clean and reliable energy, within a renewable energy system that will underpin decarbonisation across the economy.
Quotes from Nicola McFarlane
"The Resources Sector Plan articulates that Australia is building a stronger, more resilient economy by producing low emissions minerals and metals needed for the transition. SACOME’s members, the South Australian resources and energy sector, are key to this goal being achieved”
“It is important that the government and industry collaboratively create an environment that enables Australia to remain globally competitive. This has been highlighted in both the industry and resources sector plans, in line with the Future Made in Australia Agenda.”
“There is no doubt that resilient and focused collaboration not only within the sector, but between industry and government has the potential to drive progress, unlock new value, and shape the future of sustainable practices for the advancement of the sector.”