The clean energy industry says the Abbott government's latest renewable energy target proposal cuts too hard.
The government announced a revamped renewable energy target on Monday, but refused to budge on its previous target for large-scale operations such as wind farms.
The renewables industry has been staring down the barrel of job cuts since the government announced plans to slash the previously bipartisan target of 41,000 gigawatt hours for large-scale energy.
The government wants that figure cut to 31,000 by 2020, while Labor is standing firm on a target in the high 30,000s.
Labor already has rejected a target of 31,000.
The Clean Energy Council agrees with Labor on the mid-to-high 30,000s, but chief executive Kane Thornton says the most important thing is to resolve the deadlock.
He's encouraged that both sides understand the urgency of an agreement.
"The longer this goes on the more pain there is for industry," Mr Thornton told AAP on Monday.
"Every day that goes by, more businesses are suffering, investment is being written down, people are losing their jobs."
Environment Minister Greg Hunt wants an agreement by Easter but Mr Thornton said the government's latest proposal is not acceptable.
"We couldn't support that significant a cut to the target," he said.
Labor held talks with key stakeholders from the clean energy industry, manufacturing, investors and unions on Monday.
The government has also been negotiating with industry.
Labor spokesman Mark Butler said the party's position had come through close consultation with industry, banks and equity firms and was one that would sustain investment in the sector.
Both sides agree on exempting emissions-intensive, trade-exposed sectors like aluminium.
The Australian Greens accused the government of trying to prop up the fossil fuel sector with the latest proposal.
The government's revamped plan would increase the small-scale energy target - which consists mainly of solar - from 4000 gigawatt hours to 14,000, to better reflect consumer patterns.
"The opposition must decide if it wants to play a constructive role in fixing the RET, or continue the stonewalling that is standing in the way of a sustainable future for renewable energy," Mr Hunt said.
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