The United Nations has urged Australia to speed up coal withdrawal

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The Australian government should step up efforts to phase out coal or climate change will seriously harm the country's economy, Selwin Hart, a UN special adviser, said on Friday. Australia has long relied heavily on coal-fired power, making it one of the world's biggest carbon emitters. But the government has remained staunchly supportive of the fossil fuel industry, arguing that tougher carbon curbs will cost jobs. "While mining only accounts for 2 per cent of all employment in Australia, I fully understand the important role of coal and other fossil fuels in the country's economy." Reuters quoted Hart as saying. "But we have to have a broader, more honest and rational conversation about Australia's national interests." The UN has called on all OECD and developing countries, including Australia, to phase out coal by 2030. Most other countries have committed to net zero emissions by 2050. In July, G20 energy and environment ministers failed to reach an agreement to phase out coal by 2025. But experts say some progress could be made at the upcoming United Nations climate talks in Glasgow in November. Scott Morrison, the prime minister, has said Australia ison a path to net zero emissions but has not specified a time frame. The country will update its carbon emissions projections at a climate change conference in November. "The Australian government should seize the opportunity to transition to renewable energy." Hart said. "If coal is not phased out globally quickly, climate change will wreak havoc on the entire Australian economy