Australia's emissions reduction target 'unambitious, irresponsible'

New Australia Institute paper finds neither Coalition nor Labor's pollution reduction targets would see us doing our fair share

Pollution reduction targets for 2030 proposed by the Coalition and Labor will not see Australia contributing its fair share to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate agreement, according to new research.

A paper from the progressive thinktank the Australia Institute finds the Turnbull government's target of a 26-28% reduction on 2005 levels is "inadequate according to any recognised principle-based approach" and the Labor target of a 45% reduction is "the bare minimum necessary for Australia to be considered to be making an equitable contribution to the achievement of the Paris agreement's two degree target".