21st United Nations Climate Change Conference

Today I will travel to Paris for the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

I will lead Australia's delegation and will work with my ministerial counterparts to deliver a strong and effective global climate change agreement.

Our priority is to deliver an agreement where all countries set and regularly review emission reduction targets. The agreement should also ensure countries accurately report on their emissions and progress towards targets.

At the conference I will outline Australia's commitment to climate action at home and in our region, including our responsible and achievable target to reduce emissions by 26–28 per cent by 2030.

I will also highlight measures Australia is taking to support the uptake of new technologies and to improve energy efficiency, and our support for developing countries, particularly in the Pacific, to build resilience to climate-related events.

I will address the opening of the COP21 High-Level Segment, the High-Level Assembly of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and a Carbon Market Institute event.

These events will highlight the world-leading efforts of the Australian Government and businesses to reduce emissions and deliver new and improved technologies.