Over the past two years, since the publication of the report Aim high, go fast, and nearly a decade on from the moment countries from around the world decided under the Paris Agreement on how to respond to climate change, the impacts have continued to escalate. Already at 1.2°C of global warming, the world is grappling with stark realities as the toll on people and nature gets bigger and bigger: families uprooted by floods and fires, iconic ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef irrevocably harmed, entire species driven to extinction, and too many lives lost.

At the same time, having squandered opportunities to reduce emissions, the window for avoiding catastrophe is now even narrower. No family, community or country will remain untouched by the farreaching impacts of climate change. Yet, climate change does not strike equally. It knows no borders, and disproportionately affects those who have often contributed least to the problem or who have limited resources to cope.

For Australia, we must get our emissions on a steep downward trajectory with an actionable plan to reduce emissions by 75 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net zero by 2035. This is doable. It requires an all-in effort that builds upon our modest progress to date. Fortunately we have the technology. The economics are favourable. Plus, the benefits to our health, our economy and our communities - our way of life - are undeniable.