The top US diplomat in Australia says both nations must set “more ambitious climate goals”.

Mike Goldman, who is chargé d’affaires at the United States embassy in Canberra, says the US and Australia have a shared obligation to protect the planet, and must  tackle the climate crisis “head on”.

Australia is facing pressure from international counterparts to lift theitsir medium-term targets to align with the Paris goal of seeking to limit heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

“We have much to gain together by partnering to develop new green technologies and by setting new more ambitious climate goals,” Mr Goldman said over the weeked.

“As partners, we have a shared obligation to protect our planet by taking the climate crisis head on, just as we’ve taken on every crisis over the past 70 years.”

It is the latest sign of pressure from the US, whose president Joe Biden recently called on Australia to cut greenhouse gas emissions faster.

Australia has steadfastly resisted international pressure on the matter so far, but is expected to make some concessions for the climate at the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow.