"The ratification of the Paris Agreement by Australia is an important step forward, but not enough. Australia’s ratification is well timed. It shows some trust in the Paris Agreement in the wake of the election of Donald Trump, who has promised to cancel the Paris Agreement. It is a move that he cannot do, but he can and likely will withdraw.

Australia must go beyond words to effective action. Ratification of Paris has few legal ramifications. It largely means that Australia will simply need to put forward an increasingly stringent climate action pledge every five years. However, Australia is already projected to significantly overshoot its woefully inadequate targets.

Australia must put in place a target for net zero emissions by 2050 and reinstate a carbon price to have its actions reflect scientific necessity. Ratification of Paris will otherwise be an empty, symbolic gesture."

This is an important step towards keeping global temperatures to below 2 degrees celsius. But make no mistake, Australia’s commitment to cut emissions by 26-28% by 2030 will not be enough to meet the 2 degree target. I encourage our leaders to plan and implement deeper cuts, the sooner the better — the climate system waits for no politician.