In Australia, renewables are disrupting coal’s longtime energy dominance

When I spoke with the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece at COP30, I learned that Australia is making some amazing climate progress! The country has historically been heavily reliant on coal, but that’s changing fast. In 2015, coal accounted for two thirds of Australia’s primary energy production. Since then, they have made massive strides. Energy from renewables increased by nearly 150% from 2015 to 2023! 

Australia has a goal of reaching 82% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% renewable energy by 2050. They are well on their way to phasing out coal entirely and integrating clean energy in spades: September of 2025 was the first month where renewables overtook coal in the country’s energy mix. Daniel Westermann, head of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which oversees the nation’s power markets, expects that 90% of Australia’s coal generation will be retired by 2035, with the last 10% to follow shortly after. That means that coal would go from a dominant energy source to a marginal source in a mere 20 years.

Australia’s impressive progress is indicative of a global trend: coal and fossil energy are becoming a thing of the past. Clean, renewable energy is picking up speed in California, down under, and around the world!