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Net zero: economic opportunity or cost

Stable from 2025

In 2026, 38% say achieving the net zero target would leave the Australian economy better off, with the same proportion saying it would be worse.

Question Net zero: economic opportunity or cost

Both major political parties in Australia have committed to bringing Australia’s national greenhouse gas emissions down to net zero by 2050. This presents both costs and opportunities for the economy. On balance, do you think achieving the net zero target would leave the Australian economy:

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
Better off
38
Worse off
38
Make no difference
22
Total
All groups

2026 observation

Under Australia’s Climate Change Act (2022), the Australian government agreed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions as a result of economic activity by 2050, enshrining in statute targets that are consistent with the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As part of this commitment, Australia legislated a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030. Australians are divided on the benefits of achieving net zero. Nearly four in ten (38%) agree with the statement that ‘achieving the net zero target would leave the Australian economy better off’. The same proportion (38%) say it will leave the economy ‘worse off’, while 22% say it will ‘make no difference’.