The NSW Liberal-Nationals government has pledged to halve emissions by 2030, in a move which will increase pressure on their federal counterparts ahead the Glasgow climate summit.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has set a new goal to cut the state's emissions by 50 per cent below 2005 levels by the end of this decade, up from a previous target of 35 per cent.
The announcement came just hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a video-call with Liberal colleagues, who are concerned the Nationals could vanquish hopes of an agreement on a net zero by 2050 target before the UN climate summit in November.
The new NSW government target is included in an update of the state's plan to achieve net zero by 2050, which includes policies for renewable energy, electric vehicles, hydrogen and primary industries.
Ms Berejiklian said the plan would create jobs, generate private sector investment, cut household energy bills and protect the environment.
"This is about putting the policies in place to give industry and investors certainty, not only to protect our planet but to future-proof our prosperity and way of life," she said.
NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro has endorsed the plan, saying regional communities would benefit from the new industries which would emerge in the next decade.
NSW's new 2030 target is almost double the federal government's national target, which is to cut emissions by 26-28 per cent on 2005 levels.
With just under five weeks until the Glasgow summit, Mr Morrison remains locked in negotiations with federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce on a net zero plan and the possibility of a 2050 target.
While some of Mr Joyce's colleagues are open to a 2050 target so long as regional jobs are protected, other such as Queensland senator Matt Canavan are dead against it.
Tensions between the two Coalition partners flared again on Monday, after Nationals minister Bridget McKenzie used a newspaper column to claim it was easy for Liberals such as Josh Frydenberg and Dave Sharma to back a net zero target because the transition would have little impact on their "affluent" inner city electorates.
A number of Liberal MPs have long been concerned about a backlash from voters if the government doesn't commit to a 2050 target before the next election.
The Canberra Times understands a small contingent had been planning to write to Mr Morrison to express their concerns, before he agreed to the virtual meeting.
Government sources say more than 20 Liberal MPs from across the country dialed in to the call. The sources were left with the impression that both Mr Morrison and Mr Joyce are on board with a net zero roadmap which includes a 2050 target, but nothing has been finalised.
