Australia must cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2025, says Climate Change Authority

Government also urged to sign up to further cuts of 40-60% by 2030 ahead of Paris climate talks, in effort to catch up to other countries

The Climate Change Authority says Australia needs to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2025 and sign up to further cuts of 40-60% by 2030 to catch up to other countries in the international effort to mitigate the risks of global warming.

The authority's call for Australia to show increased ambition and global leadership comes ahead of the Abbott government announcing its final decision on the post-2020 targets Australia will take to United Nations climate talks in Paris later this year.