State Labor energy ministers have started the process towards a Clean Energy Target, after failing to reach an accord with their coalition counterparts at a national energy meeting.
The COAG Energy Council met in Brisbane on Friday, with federal minister Josh Frydenberg calling for time to get the CET right.
The federal government has agreed to 49 of the 50 recommendations of the Finkel review, with the Clean Energy Target the sticking point.
Going into the meeting, Queensland Energy Minister Mark Bailey said the Labor states would take matters into their own hands if an agreement couldn't be reached.
After the meeting, Mr Bailey said they would now task the Australian Energy Market Commission with developing options to implement a Clean Energy Target.
"Industry is incredibly supportive of getting on with this Clean Energy Target, they're quite pragmatic, they just need that certainty, so we can get that investment in electricity infrastructure in place" Mr Bailey told AAP.
"Because the lead-in time for it is substantial, and it's less than two-and-a-half years before the Renewable Energy Target ceases to exist."
Mr Bailey has also called on the Queensland opposition to "join the 21st century", as the Liberal National Party considers a resolution urging the federal government to abandon the Paris Climate Accord.
Mr Bailey accused LNP members, who are at a state conference which began in Brisbane on Friday, of having a "totally unacceptable" attitude for considering the resolution.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has vowed to do whatever it takes to deliver fair energy outcomes, including restricting gas exports to safeguard domestic supply.
"I'm fixing it, I'm dealing with it, with tough measures," he told the Seven Network.
"A lot of people have criticised them, said they're too heavy-handed, but there's nothing that will stand in my way in delivering a fair energy outcome for Australians."
The AEMC's work is expected to take about three months, with the next full meeting of the council scheduled for November.
