China's surprise climate pledge leaves Australia 'naked in the wind', analysts say

Beijing now has a more ambitious long-term climate goal than Australia - and there are fears that could have a dire impact on our economy

Australia's resistance to a mid-century net zero emissions target is likely to become increasingly unsustainable after China surprised global leaders by pledging it would reach carbon neutrality" before 2060, climate analysts and advocates say.

The announcement by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, at the UN general assembly on Tuesday means the world's biggest emitter has a more ambitious long-term climate goal than Australia despite still being considered an emerging economy.