Ahead of May 3, the major parties and politicians on the crossbench are promising various actions to combat climate change in Australia.

Research by the Australia Institute shows up to three-quarters of Australians are deeply concerned about climate change. It's no suprise, then, that it is at the forefront of policies ahead of the federal election.

The current Federal Government, with Labor's Anthony Albanese at the helm, said it has approved enough renewable energy projects to power more than 8 million homes. It aims to reduce emissions to 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and ultimately achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Labor has outlined a 10-year investment strategy totalling $22.7 billion, which involves creating secure employment in clean energy sectors and developing renewable energy projects in Australia.

But the Government’s major energy project list shows that, since 2023, oil and gas still make up the largest share of committed projects. 

This has raised questions about Labor’s environmental policies and Australia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

That legally binding international treaty is a response to climate change with the aim to limit temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. 

According to independent science project Climate Action Tracker, Australia’s climate targets overall are rated as “insufficient”, and more substantive and ambitious action needs to be taken in order to reach Paris Agreement compatibility — and address climate change.

On that note, Opposition leader Peter Dutton has put forth a much publicised nuclear power plan, which vows to give Australians reduced power prices using nuclear energy.

If elected, the Coalition wants to roll out a combination of renewable, gas and nuclear energies, where nuclear would, in coming decades, provide an always-on source of 24/7 baseload power.

The Coalition has identified several potential locations at the sites of former coal plants to potentially become nuclear plants. 

But this nuclear plan relies on including renewables and gas in order to keep costs down, decarbonise and ensure accessibility. 

Further, the Coalition’s nuclear proposal has raised significant concerns about the reliability and costs of nuclear energy, not to mention the impact of nuclear energy production, and radioactive waste, on the environment. 

The plan could cost Australians up to $600 billion and deliver less than 4 per cent of Australian energy at best, according to the industry body, Smart Energy Council.

The environmental impact of nuclear waste is also a significant concern.

The Australian Conservation Foundation says nuclear waste can cause air, soil and water pollution, posing significant environmental and health risks to Australia.

Meanwhile, the minor parties and independent politicians have been significant in driving climate action and more substantive environmental policy.

The Greens, who are the third-largest political party in Australia by vote and gained an increase in votes in the 2022 election, have an ambitious proposal to fast-track Australia’s action on climate change.

They have called for an end to coal and gas projects as part of a rapid transition to 100 per cent renewables. 

The Greens also advocate for net-zero emissions by 2035, fifteen years earlier than Labor’s plan of net-zero by 2050. 

They are firmly against the use of nuclear power and aim to limit natural resource extraction to ensure the wellbeing of future generations.

There was also significant support last election for Teal independents, who mobilised a platform of environmental justice. The group Climate 200 helped fund these independents, and six new Teal MPs were elected in 2022.

One of them, Dr Monique Ryan, MP for Kooyong, has called for a 60 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, a more ambitious plan than Labor’s current 43 per cent target.

Another independent, ACT Senator David Pocock, has also promoted a national electrification program to help households reduce energy bills. 

Such election promises reflect the growing role that young voters are playing in shaping Australian environmental policy — and electing candidates that put climate change at the top of the agenda.

The seats won by Greens or Teals in the 2022 election had the greatest proportion of voters aged under 30, according to Australian Electoral Commission data. 

In this respect, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, a social movement dedicated to empowering youth activism, say "this generation will not wait for climate activism".

The AYCC is actively seeking to mobilise the youth vote towards candidates who vow to take firm action on climate change.

To keep up to date with election results, MOJO News will broadcast live on Channel 31 from 6.30pm on May 3.