Australia's new climate pledge to UN criticised for not improving on 2030 target

Labor says the Coalition is isolated on climate change and needs to commit to net zero emissions by 2050

Australia has formally updated its United Nations climate policy without fanfare and without any improvement to its 2030 target to cut emissions, sparking criticism from Labor, the Greens and climate policy experts and campaigners.

Repeating language heard frequently in recent months, the document, submitted to the United Nations on New Year's Eve, says Australia will meet and beat" its declared 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels.