Australia's natural world faces an unprecedented crisis. With rampant habitat destruction and the accelerating impacts of climate change, numerous ecosystems are on the brink.
In recent budgets, the Albanese government has taken initial steps to invest in nature and the climate, including the Future Made in Australia program, which earmarks billions for clean energy manufacturing and green metals. However, these early measures fall short of the robust, sustained investment needed to secure a truly sustainable, nature-positive future.
Overall investment in nature and climate remains a tiny fraction of Commonwealth spending. Out of every dollar spent, less than one cent is allocated to protecting nature and building a safe climate.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) urges the Albanese government to make a decisive, long-term commitment in the 2025-26 Federal Budget to protect and restore nature, drive the renewable energy transition and stop funding fossil fuel projects.
Nature
- Confirm four-year funding to establish a national environment protection agency.
- Fund the full reform of national nature protection laws (EPBC Act) in the first year of the next term.
- Boost funding for threatened species recovery to $1.3 billion annually (up from the present $475 million a year) to meet Australia's commitment to zero new extinctions.
- Invest in high-definition vegetation mapping to monitor ecosystem health and deforestation rates nationwide.
- Invest $1.9 billion annually from 2025 to 2054 to restore 30% of Australia's degraded forests, bushlands and other native vegetation.
- Establish a $5 billion fund to purchase high biodiversity value land and guarantee long-term funding for Indigenous Protected Areas.
- Establish an independent Commissioner for Country to provide authoritative Indigenous guidance on natural and cultural heritage protection.
- Increase funding for nature-based agricultural practices by boosting research, technical support and innovative tools to help farmers measure and manage natural capital.
Energy transition
- Develop and fund a National Renewable Infrastructure Construction Plan to fast-track renewable energy projects and target a 94% renewable grid by 2030.
- Commit $50 billion over ten years for a national-scale household electrification, renewables, battery storage and thermal efficiency program (with $5 billion for the next financial year)— providing upfront financing to support energy upgrades to different types of households, including low income and rental properties.
- Expand the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme to include household batteries, providing funding for up to 1 million household batteries by 2030.
Stop funding fossil fuels
- Commit no new public money—direct or indirect—to coal, oil, or gas projects or enabling infrastructure.
- Redeploy the $1.9 billion Middle Arm gas precinct subsidy to deliver better jobs, clean energy and climate outcomes for the Northern Territory.
- Eliminate the fuel tax credit subsidy for fossil fuel producers and repurpose these funds to support clean energy, renewable manufacturing and export capabilities, and climate resilience and climate solutions. (Spending on the fuel tax credit is more than double spending on climate and environment across forward estimates.)
- Allocate $40 million to set up a national methane emissions monitoring system, plus an additional $6 million per year for its ongoing operation.
Climate resilience
Boost funding for climate resilience, including investments in infrastructure projects and mitigation measures across the country to reduce climate risk for communities and businesses and reduce the economic damage of climate-related disaster.
Renewable, not radioactive
- Reject any new nuclear power initiatives and phase out uranium mining, ensuring that Australia's energy future is firmly anchored in renewable resources.
- Fund an independent review of the uranium sector's domestic and international impacts to ensure best practice compliance.
- Continue funding rehabilitation and monitoring of nuclear sites and advance rehabilitation at Emu Field and other impacted areas.
- Continue to advance work at ANSTO's intermediate-level nuclear waste facility and ensure independent oversight and First Nations consent requirements around any plans to develop a storage and disposal site for AUKUS-related nuclear waste.
- Invest in a public communications strategy—with a minimum of $15 million—to debunk nuclear myths and promote Australia's renewable energy potential.
Read ACF's full budget submission
ACF will be in the budget lock-up and available for reaction from 7.30pm
