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Environment Victoria head Jono La Nauze said the new Victorian targets would put even more pressure on the Morrison government to increase its “pathetic” pledges but said the state’s new targets still fell far short of what was needed.

“Victoria has almost matched the recent US pledge of 50 to 52 per cent but the science is clear – we need to act much faster,” he said.

“The federal coalition’s decade of sabotage and delay on climate has limited what can be achieved in the next decade here in Victoria and for that they must be held accountable.”

Victorian emissions targets for 2025 and 2030 were meant to be announced in 2020, but the pandemic delayed the decision.

Victorian law requires the state government set interim emissions reduction targets every five years, as steps towards its major target of net zero by 2050.

A climate change strategy, and “sector pledges” are both also required by law. These will outline how particular sectors such as transport or agriculture will reduce emissions to meet targets.

The Andrews government commissioned an independent panel, headed by Labor’s former federal climate change minister Greg Combet, to provide advice on what its targets for 2025 and 2030 should be.

The panel recommended a 2025 target of between a 32 and 39 per cent reduction in emissions (on 2005 levels), and 2030 targets of between 45 and 60 per cent.

It called on the Andrews government to make deep cuts to emissions in the next decade in sectors including electricity, industry and agriculture.

These recommendations were made before the devastating summer bushfires of 2019-2020.

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Recent research by high-profile Australian climate scientists found that Victoria needs to set emissions reductions targets of 75 per cent by 2030 to meet the Paris objectives.

Victoria met its 2020 targets, with Ms D’Ambrosio saying the state had reduced emissions by 25 per cent. This was largely because of the closure of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant.

During Mr Biden’s recent world leaders climate summit, many countries updated their 2030 targets.

The US announced a 50 to 52 per cent target below 2005 levels, the EU announced a similar target and the UK pledged to drop 63 per cent below 2005 levels.

But the Australian target remained unchanged at 26 to 28 per cent by 2030, and is significantly lower than many comparable countries.

NSW has a target of 35 per cent cuts by 2030 and South Australia has committed to cuts of more than 50 per cent by 2030.