Australia already 'carrying its load' on emissions and must adapt to warmer climate, PM says

Scott Morrison says 'we are playing our part', and given climate change cannot be stopped, Australia needs to focus on bushfire resilience and adaptation

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has rejected suggestions Australia could increase its international advocacy on climate change, saying the country is already "carrying its load" and must adapt to a warmer climate regardless of emissions policy.

After indicating that the government would "evolve" its climate change policies to address heightened concerns about the role of global warming in Australia's ongoing bushfire crisis, Morrison used a keynote speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday to talk up the government's current policies, including its emission reduction targets.