Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has declared Australia "out of step" with the world on tackling climate change, as international pressure grows on the federal government to do more to limit global warming.

The federal government has so far refused to join other nations in committing to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and increasing more immediate targets for reducing greenhouse gases.

Australia is obliged to update its emissions reduction plan in November at the next round of international talks on climate change in Glasgow, and the international community is pressing Prime Minister Scott Morrison to increase his ambition.

Speaking at the Better Futures Forum today, Mr Ban noted Australia's states and territories had already backed the net zero by 2050 goal, along with major industry leaders.

"Australia's current goal of a 26 to 28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, and the absence of a national zero emissions target, is out of step with its states, its trading partners, and other comparable nations," Mr Ban said in a video address to the forum, hosted by the Climate Action Network Australia.

"Internationally, Australia's major trading partners, including Japan, South Korea and China, have mid-century net zero targets." 

"It is insufficient to meet Australia's Paris Agreement commitments," he concluded.

Australia risks being 'on wrong side' of border tariffs

Last week, Mr Morrison emphasised the need for developing nations to reduce their emissions, whilst also allowing for their economic development. 

"It is not good enough for [emissions reduction] to just happen to Australia and the United States and in Europe," he said after the release of the latest international scientific report on climate change.

"It must happen in these other countries, and they must have prosperity. Otherwise, we will not fix this."

He defended the federal government's "technology, not taxes" approach, which relies on investment in emerging technologies in the hope they will deliver greener methods of electricity generation and manufacturing.

Mr Ban said the world was on a "dangerous trajectory" and warned Australia was obliged to do more, both for ethical and economic reasons.

"Australia risks finding itself on the wrong side of carbon border tariffs as other nations move ahead, seizing the opportunities of the zero carbon age," he said.

"Australia must at least halve emissions this decade, and commit to zero by 2050."

'Get on with it, or get out of the way'

Speaking at the same forum, New South Wales Environment Minister Matt Kean, a Liberal MP, took a swipe at his federal colleagues for not seizing the opportunities of a transition to renewable energy.

"We need to send a message to all leaders, in every part of our society, that failing to deliver on the promise of what we can be is not an option," he said.

"The community expects our leaders to get on with it, or get out of the way."

His comments follow Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce's refusal to engage in policy development on climate change.

Despite the Coalition being in power since 2013, Mr Joyce said "show us the plan, show us the cost," when asked about adopting the net zero by 2050 target.

The NSW government has adopted the net zero by 2050 target and its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap will see the development of renewable energy zones around the state.

"Australia should not be a climate laggard. We should be a climate leader," Mr Kean said.

"It is our responsibility when we purchase things for our homes, when we choose where to invest our superannuation, when we decide who we bank with, and when we decide how to vote at the ballot box."

While NSW's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the state by about 90 million tonnes, it has also approved eight coal and gas projects in the past three years which will emit about 89 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over their lifetimes.