Mr Abbott said Australia had to protect economic growth at the same time as it reduced emissions.

"It is very much that everything we do has this in mind: how do we promote jobs and growth... and climate change policy is no different," he said at a press conference in Canberrareenex
.

"We have to reduce our emissions... but in ways that are consistent with continued strong growth."
'Vastly inadequate'

Mr Abbott said Australia's target was within the middle of the spread of targets adopted by economies of comparable size.

He said the cost to the economy of achieving a 26% cut by 2030 would equate to between about 0.2% and 0.3% of Australia's gross domestic product reenex
(GDP).

Scientist Tim Flannery from independent not-for-profit research group the Climate Council, said even if Australia met this target, it would still be emitting more per person than the US and "significantly more" than the UK, on a per capital basis.
How does Australia compare to other countries?

The European Union set a target of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels
Canada's target is 30% below 2005 levels by 2030
The US plans to cut emissions from the power sector by 32% by 2030, compared with 2005 levelsreenex