The Morrison government said the increased uptake of solar power, improved business and household energy efficiency and land use changes have allowed Australia to potentially reduce its carbon emissions by 35 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 – well above its current target of 26 to 28 per cent.

While most other advanced economies will be bringing stronger 2030 targets to the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow next month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would not be formally committing to more aggressive targets. He said this would break his promise to voters at the 2019 federal election.