Scientists are calling for rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes across society to prevent world temperatures from rising by two degrees Celsius.
A new United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report references more than 6000 scientific studies and says there are benefits to people and natural ecosystems if global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees celcius compared to 2 degrees.
Director of the Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University and contributor to the report, Professor Mark Howden, says drastic change is needed to achieve those levels.
"We're not on track. We're currently heading for about 3 degrees or 4 degrees (Celsius) of warming by 2100. If we're to achieve those sorts of cuts in emissions, then we need deep changes in all aspects of society -- that's energy, land, buildings, transport, food, diet, cities, et cetera. And we'd need new technologies, energy efficiency, clean energy sources, less deforestation, better land management, sustainable agriculture, and many other things." professor Howden says.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he will review the details of the report.
But he says Australia is on track to meet its targets under the Paris Climate Agreement.
Meanwhile Greens M-P Adam Bandt says the latest report strengthens the need for Australia to abandon its coal-fired power plants.
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