As the Coalition and Labor inch closer on emissions, are Australia?s climate wars ending?

If a week is a long time in politics, three years is a geological age. Long-held assumptions can change dramatically in that time. Just ask the Business Council of Australia.

In 2018, before the last federal election, the lobby group representing 100 of the country's biggest businesses described a Labor pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 as "economy wrecking". The Coalition's more modest and less scientifically based goal of a 26-28% cut was deemed "appropriate and achievable". (To its credit, the business council has chosen not to delete its incriminating tweet.)

Three years of worsening science news and a once-in-a-century pandemic later, the BCA has turned on its heel. It believes Labor's new, fractionally reduced 2030 target - a 43% cut compared with 2005 levels - and the policies that support it are a "sensible and workable plan". Remarkably, given its history of opposing a national carbon price, it recently called on both major parties to do more.

The BCA is not the only establishment heavyweight to have embraced greater ambition and offered support for Anthony Albanese and his climate change shadow minister, Chris Bowen, since the ALP emissions policy was released earlier this month.

The Australian Industry Group - the country's largest employer group - said Labor's target could be delivered with "sensible policy reforms, greater collaboration and a close focus on industry competitiveness". The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it offered "a pathway to achieve the economic and technological transition towards a more sustainable future". And the Australian Automobile Association said it was a "win for consumers".

This response is not a complete surprise. Most major corporates are persuaded the world will inevitably move on climate and that it is in their interests to do the same - or at least be seen to. But the support from business for Labor's more ambitious stance reflects a sea change in the battle-weary world of Australian climate politics.

Some observers have wondered if this is how the "climate wars" end, having helped bring down multiple political leaders on both sides and held back policy for more than a decade. Political disagreements and attacks will continue, but will the potency of a dishonest campaign over emissions policy have diminished by the time next year's election rolls around?