Britain will "very disappointed" if Scott Morrison doesn't attend upcoming United Nations climate talks in Glasgow with more ambitious emissions cuts.
The prime minister has not confirmed whether or not he will head to talks in a month as the federal coalition wrangles to get conservative Nationals on board with a net zero by 2050 target.
British high commissioner to Australia Victoria Treadell says the UK will be "very disappointed" if Mr Morrison does not attend and instead sends one of his ministers.
"We'd very much love him (Mr Morrison) to attend. We haven't received confirmation one way or the other. But I know that a decision will be pending so we remain hopeful," she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"But whatever the level of participation, we would still be asking the same requirement of Australia for a yet more ambitious position on climate action."
Australia's official position remains reaching net zero as soon as possible and preferably by 2050.
"It's great to that Prime Minister Morrison says 'preferably', but we would like preferably to be converted to a firm commitment," Ms Treadell said.
"Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson has been clear every time that they have met that he's looking for higher ambition."
The high commissioner praised the stance of the NSW government that has gotten its Nationals partners on board with a plan to halve emissions by 2030.
"This is an economic imperative. Financial and capital markets are already preparing for a lower emissions net zero future. That means investments are being geared in that direction," Ms Treadell said.
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean doesn't see acting on climate change as a choice between the environment and the economy.
"It will not only set our state up for success in the areas of industry and electricity and eclectic vehicles, but it will also support agriculture," he said.
"This is not about hurting our farmers, this is about supporting them and making them more profitable."
Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham insists a net zero goal is right for the environment and economy.
But he maintains Nationals politicians opposed to the target are asking the right questions.
"The right questions are being asked, those right questions about ensuring the policies we're pursuing to get to net zero are ones that protect regional jobs. We as Liberals want that, our National Party counterparts want that," he told ABC radio.
"We are considering these issues in parallel to make sure we can take the strongest possible position to Glasgow."
A report by the Beyond Zero Emissions think tank suggests Australia could reap $333 billion by 2050 from selling green energy overseas.
It wants the federal government to set up a $100 billion green export target by 2035 for renewable hydrogen, critical minerals, and green steel and aluminium,
It has also called for green exports to become the focus of foreign affairs and trade policy.
The group has proposed a five-year plan to establish 14 renewable energy precincts and a $20 billion lending authority set up to support large-scale investments in the energy grid.
It warns the country's $128 billion fossil fuel export industry risks becoming a "valley of death" as trading partners implement net zero goals, carbon border tariffs and other countries move to capture new export industries.
Australian Associated Press
