Liberals formally abandon net zero by 2050 but Ley says reaching target would still be ‘welcome outcome’

Future Coalition government would not withdraw from Paris climate agreement altogether, Liberal frontbench decides a day after five-hour party room debateFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal leader Sussan Ley has defended the Liberal plan to dump legislated pledges for net zero and renewable energy while claiming to be committed to the Paris agreement, saying “I can deal with that” if she faces criticism for backsliding on climate targets.The Liberal party will abandon a firm net zero emissions target, siding with the Nationals to end the Coalition’s commitment to the climate goal, in a bid to pursue what Ley and energy spokesperson Dan Tehan called “energy abundance” by supporting nuclear power, and backing coal and gas. Continue reading…