The Prime Minister has pinned his hopes on technology "changing everything" after an alarming report on climate change.
Scott Morrison has also warned emissions in China dwarfed that of the developed world, but asking emerging nations to curb their emissions could create inequity.
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Monday warned the global temperatures could rise by as much as 1.5 degrees by next decade, demanding a coordinated international response to avert catastrophe.
The federal government has refused to join the rest of the developed world by committing to net zero emissions by 2050, instead aiming to reach the target as quickly as possible.
Mr Morrison has pinned his hopes on a technological breakthrough and, despite the IPCC's damning report, remained unmoved on Tuesday.
"World history teaches one thing: technology changes everything. That is the game changer," he said.
"Focusing on political solutions won't solve this problem. Focusing on technology solutions will, and technology needs to work and be competitive with the fossil fuels alternatives in developing countries."
READ MORE:
Mr Morrison conceded fossil fuels had underpinned the growth of developed economies, including Australia, and demanding developing nations curb their emissions raised inequity issues.
But he claimed Chinese emissions accounted for more than the OECD combined.
"We cannot ignore the fact that the developing world accounts for two thirds of global emissions and those emissions are rising. That is a stark fact," he said.
"If America reduced its emissions to zero, and China kept going where it was, we wouldn't make a lick of difference.
"We need a solution that addresses the real commercial challenges of developing countries to solve this problem."
Canberra has pledged to cut emissions between 26 to 28 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030, but has faced international criticism for relying on so-called Kyoto carryover credits.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also refused to invite Mr Morrison to a climate summit in December, citing Australia's insufficient emissions reduction targets.
And Canberra's major allies have committed to net zero emissions by 2050, while Beijing aimed to reach carbon neutrality a decade later.
Mr Morrison claimed Australia would "definitely" be updating its progress by a major climate summits in Glasgow in November, but would not be drawn on the details.
The Coalition has been divided over its energy policy, with a group of conservative Nationals MPs framing a net zero target as a non-starter.
And Mr Morrison conceded a shift towards a clean economy needed to factor in a "great anxiety" in across Australia.
"Regional communities should not be forced to carry the national burden, and I won't let them," he said.
"I will ensure that we have a plan that addresses the need for jobs, and industries, that can be supported by new energy technologies both now and into the future.
Finn McHugh
Finn McHugh has been federal political reporter for The Canberra Times since July 2021. He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He has previously interned at the Kuwait Times.
Finn McHugh has been federal political reporter for The Canberra Times since July 2021. He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He has previously interned at the Kuwait Times.
