If the Morrison government embraces the Business Council of Australia’s proposed stronger emission reduction targets of 46 to 50 per cent by 2030 it would put Australia in the middle of the pack in the lead-up to the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.

As it stands, if federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor – and Prime Minister Scott Morrison if he decides to go – turns up to next month’s meeting with the current target of 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, it is likely to confirm Australia as the climate laggards that we have been cast by some in the global community.