Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has declared Australia “out of step” with the world on tackling climate change, as international pressure grows on the federal government to do more to limit global warming.

Australia is obliged to update its emissions reduction plan in November at the next round of international talks on climate change in Glasgow, and the international community is pressing Prime Minister Scott Morrison to increase his ambition.

Speaking at the Better Futures Forum on Tuesday, Mr Ban noted Australia’s states and territories had already backed the net zero by 2050 goal, along with major industry leaders.

“Australia’s current goal of a 26 to 28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, and the absence of a national zero emissions target, is out of step with its states, its trading partners, and other comparable nations,” Mr Ban said in a video address to the forum, hosted by the Climate Action Network Australia.

“Internationally, Australia’s major trading partners, including Japan, South Korea and China, have mid-century net zero targets.”

Key points:

• Ban Ki-moon says Australia is facing carbon tariffs for lagging behind on climate action
• He says Australia is doing half as much to reduce emissions as other developed nations
• The NSW Environment Minister, a Liberal MP, wants his federal colleagues to act or “get out of the way”

Source
ABC News