New Australian climate targets - what to look for »

Australia's post-2020 target needs to be a meaningful contribution to the global effort, underpinned by a credible blueprint for how to achieve emissions reductions. The Australian Government is soon to announce a new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of a global commitment to combat climate change. ANU experts have discussed what to look for from Australia's post-2020 emissions target. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has promised a "strong" target to take to the global climate summit in Paris in December. The United States and China last year struck a deal to limit greenhouse gas emissions, with China committing to stop growing its emissions by 2030. The US plans deeper emissions cuts of up to 28 per cent by 2025, underpinned by a plan to cut emissions from power stations by 32 per cent by 2030, based on 2005 levels. The EU targets a 40 per cent reduction by 2030 relative to 1990 levels.