Labor's climate change spokesman Mark Butler wants a single national renewable energy target for state governments to work towards.
But not if the federal government fails to set an ambitious goal for 2030.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wants states to work towards a national target, arguing Labor governments have set unrealistic and aggressive goals.
Labor isn't ruling that out - but warns states will continue to "fill the vacuum" if Mr Turnbull does nothing on renewables.
"I think everyone's preference would be for there to be a single national target and states could work within that," Mr Butler told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
But state governments weren't simply going to follow Mr Turnbull's inaction.
"They've heard a loud, clear message that their communities want more renewable energy."
But Mr Butler also said states would set their own tempo depending on desire for investment and renewable resources, like sun and wind.
"States will move at different paces perhaps but there needs to be an overarching national policy that gives investors confidence that this is a good place to invest."
The federal government's target is about 23 per cent by 2020 but has not revealed a goal beyond that date.
