Australia’s export-driven economy could bear the brunt of a global net-zero-by-2050 movement as trading partners take steps to adopt more stringent carbon abatement measures. Australia declared a goal to reach net zero by 2050 last week, with world leaders meeting this week at the 26th United Nations climate change summit, COP26. Analysis by the advisory firm EY estimates that Australia’s export industry—representing over 20 percent of the economy—could be at risk, especially as 85 percent of exported goods are producers of high emissions. This includes Australia’s economic backbone, mining, along with livestock products which contribute to high methane emissions and wheat production through its generation of nitrous oxide. The report estimated that 64 percent of the risk on the nation’s export-based GDP would come from international policy changes alone, as around 82 percent of Australia’s goods were destined for countries with net zero emissions targets. “The direction of travel towards …