Australia's heavy dependence on coal-fired power has led to it being one of the world's top carbon emitters per capita. Despite this, the conservative government continues to support the fossil fuel industry, with the new deputy PM casting doubt on the country's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The government argues that taking stronger action on emissions would result in job losses, emphasizing the importance of coal and other fossil fuels to the economy. However, there are calls for a more open and rational discussion about what is truly in Australia's best interests. The UN has urged OECD countries, including Australia, to phase out coal by 2030, but a recent meeting of G20 energy and environment ministers failed to reach an agreement on phasing out coal by 2025. Some experts believe that progress could be made at the UN climate talks in Glasgow in November, despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison's reluctance to commit to a timeline for achieving net-zero carbon emissions in Australia. While most developed countries have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Morrison has indicated that Australia will update its 2030 emissions projections ahead of the Glasgow talks. Hart suggested that the Australian government should take advantage of this opportunity to transition to renewable energy sources. He stated that if coal is not quickly eliminated from the world, the Australian economy will suffer greatly due to climate change, affecting industries such as agriculture, tourism, and the services sector.