Australia needs to reduce emissions to net zero by 2038 to do ‘fair share’ to contain global heating, analysis shows

Exclusive: Researchers say government's climate schedule needs to be brought forward by a decade to keep heating to 1.5C

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Australia's fair share of action to give the world a chance of keeping global heating to 1.5C would mean reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2038 - more than a decade ahead of the government's schedule, according to new scientific analysis.

To stay on track to keep global heating of 1.5C within reach - a goal the climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen has described as vital - Australia's 2035 target would need to see a cut of 90% on 2005 levels by 2035, the analysis says.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup