International and domestic pressure is increasing on the Morrison government to raise its climate ambitions, with the UK government expected to announce an emissions reductions target of 78 per cent and Australian industry calling for bold climate policy.
The UK target, based on 1990 emissions levels and to be met by 2035, is the most ambitious so far announced by a major economy and underscores the determination of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, host of the November United Nations climate talks, to encourage the world to take significant immediate action.
US President Joe Biden is to host 40 world leaders at an Earth Day climate summit later this week, a key event leading up to the Glasgow talks. Observers expect the US will use the summit to increase its own emissions reductions target from 26 to 28 per cent on 1990 levels by 2025 and to 50 per cent or more by 2030.
Australia has committed to reduce its emissions by at least 26 per cent by 2030. Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated in a speech on Monday he is not planning more ambitious emissions reduction commitments and again ruled out a carbon tax or price.
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