The clean energy industry is urging federal Labor to head back to the negotiating table on the renewable energy target.
The call comes as the sector stares down the barrel of job cuts and failed businesses.
It also comes with a caveat on the government.
The Clean Energy Council says the government must be prepared to move from its current position.
A report released by the council estimates the political stalemate around the RET will cost the industry more than $400 million each year on already operating renewable projects.
It also found uncertainty would jeopardise $14.5 billion in future investment.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has invited Labor to resume talks before Christmas, after the opposition quit negotiations in November.
"If we can't get this resolved by Christmas many hard-working people will be wondering whether they will have a job in the new year," council CEO Kane Thornton said on Wednesday.
The government wants to cut the 41,000 gigawatt hour target to about 27,000, claiming the legislated figure would represent 27 per cent of energy use by 2020 instead of the bipartisan level of 20 per cent.
The opposition won't accept the cut and says any talks would be "fruitless" unless the government is prepared to budge.
Mr Hunt will also reach out to crossbench senators, who have drafted their own RET plan that effectively kills the need for new investment in renewables.
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