A new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows just how real the issue is, acting Labor leader Chris Bowen says.
The IPCC declared on Friday that it is "extremely likely" human activity is the dominant cause of global warming.
"I think the IPCC report confirms climate change is real and that it's man made, and that's something we've been very consistent on for many, many years now," Mr Bowen told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.
Mr Bowen said the report showed the need for "carbon restraint" and for all countries including Australia, to have policies to deal with carbon pollution.
"We believe carbon does impact on global warming. The IPCC in the report makes that very clear and the science is in and clear," he said.
The report, based on contributions by more than 600 scientists and researchers worldwide, said a human footprint could be found in the warming of the atmosphere and oceans, rising sea levels, melting snow and ice, and changes in some climate extremes.
