Tony Abbott defends 2030 emissions target criticised as 'pathetically' low

PM says goal to reduce Australia's emissions by 26% to 28% of 2005 levels by 2030 is 'foursquare in the middle' of pledges by comparable economies

Tony Abbott says his new emission reduction goal is in line with comparable countries and will cost the economy around $4bn in 2030, but climate groups say it is "pathetically inadequate" and far less than Australia's share of the cuts needed to stop global warming at 2C.

Abbott said the new target - to reduce emissions by 26% to 28% of 2005 levels by 2030 - was "foursquare in the middle" of the pledges comparable economies will take to the United Nations meeting in Paris in December.