Planning for the future means thinking long-term. And that’s what we do at smartMonday, helping members prepare for retirement throughout their working lives.  

That’s why we’ve signed an open letter as part of Business for 75, a campaign urging the Australian Government to adopt a national emissions reduction target of at least 75% by 2035. 

This campaign is proudly led by our parent company, Future Group, along with major players like Fortescue, Volvo, Bank Australia and Ben & Jerry’s.   

This campaign is arriving at a crucial time. Climate ambition is back on the national agenda. In late July, our CEO joined a high-level roundtable in Canberra with Climate Minister Chris Bowen and UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell, who urged Australia to ‘go big’ on climate leadership. The message from business was clear: ambitious companies are already driving change, and they need government policy to keep up. 

A new report launched at the roundtable, titled Australia’s 2035 NDC: A Robust Climate Target for Economic Certainty and Global Credibility, shows that a 75% to 85% reduction is not only achievable, but the most economically sound path forward. 

Later that day, Minister Bowen appeared on ABC’s 730 show, where he reinforced that a strong, science-based target is good economic policy, good for national security, and key to guiding investment. He also shared government plans to expand Australia’s renewable energy scheme to help meet its 2030 targets, adding further momentum. 

With climate back on the front page, now is the time to reinforce the business case for tackling emissions.  

Business for 75 is a coalition of Australian businesses calling for a strong 2035 emissions reduction target. This time, the message is clear: setting a 75% target by 2035 will help shape an economy that’s competitive, stable, and attractive for long-term investment. 

We know climate change presents financial risk. Heatwaves, floods, and policy uncertainty can all impact the performance of industries and investments. As a super fund, our job is to anticipate these challenges and act in our members’ best financial interests over the long term. 

Supporting a science-based emissions target isn’t about taking a political position. It’s about contributing to a more predictable investment environment and making sure Australia keeps pace with global economic trends. 

Australia’s emissions need to fall by at least 75% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. 2005 is used as baseline because it was a peak emissions year, so this isn’t a huge ask.  In fact it’s the minimum reduction scientists say is needed to limit warming and avoid major economic shocks.  

Having a clear emissions pathway in place creates a stable policy framework that helps businesses plan, invest, and grow. It supports Australia’s trade competitiveness and reputation in a decarbonising global economy.  

The government has an obligation to set its interim targets for 2035 by September 2025, as a stepping-stone to its 2050 targets, which it committed to in 2015 by signing the Paris Agreement, along with more than 190 other countries. That’s why businesses and the UN are making the case for targets that align with those set by many individual Australian states. With the right policies it’s totally achievable – Tasmania has achieved net zero already!  

We know climate policy can feel abstract, or disconnected from day-to-day life. But decisions made now will shape the economy our members retire into. A stable climate supports strong investment returns. And a clear policy direction supports better decision-making across industries. 

We’re proud to be joining other forward-thinking businesses – including Fortescue, Bank Australia and others – in calling for meaningful action. It's the smart move, and it’s in the interest of our members’ long-term prosperity. 

To find out more and see who else has joined the campaign, visit businessfor75.com.au.