Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has put Australia on a path of climate destruction with his decision to set a 2035 emissions reduction target of 62-70%, said WWF-Australia.
"This decision falls dangerously short of what the science demands," said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman.
"Climate science shows that we need to reduce Australia's emissions by at least 90% by 2035 and achieve net zero before 2040 to be aligned with the Paris Agreement goals of stabilising global warming to 1.5°C.
"It will mean more fires, floods and heatwaves and more species extinctions. This was clearly outlined by the Government's Climate Risk Assessment report.
"This broad range target will not set us on a path of climate stabilisation or accelerate the transformation to be a renewable energy superpower.
"Leading economists, smart business and industry leaders agree that strong climate targets are in Australia's best interests.
"The 2035 climate target must be improved beyond 70% and Australia must step up and do its part in the fight against global warming. It is the fight for all our lives.
Today's decision also comes at a time of new fossil fuel expansion approvals from the Albanese Government.
Mr O'Gorman urged the government to stop approving new fossil fuel projects and end deforestation.
"These are two urgent actions the government can take to protect the people and places we love from the worst impacts of climate change," he said.
"Australia must also replace fossil fuel exports with our abundant renewable energy and help our Asian trading partners overcome their dependence on our fossil fuels, decarbonise their industries, and meet their own climate targets."
