Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed he will attend COP26 climate talks in Glasgow just weeks before the conference commences.
Mr Morrison had previously refused to commit to attending the summit, where world leaders are being called on to increase the ambition of their climate change policies.
The United Nations' climate talks are widely considered to be the most crucial international meeting of their kind since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015.
Mr Morrison said the federal government is still "finalising" its position to take to the meeting later this month.
"I simply say to everyone that net zero was an outcome that I outlined at the beginning of this year consistent with our Paris agreement," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
"The challenge is not about the if and the when, the challenge is about the how and I am very focused on the how."
Prince Charles earlier this week described COP26 as a "last chance saloon" to take action after being told during an interview Mr Morrison might not attend.
The Queen on Thursday was also caught on camera expressing frustration towards world leaders yet to commit to the climate talks.
“Extraordinary isn’t it, I’ve been hearing all about COP … still don’t know who is coming … no idea,” she was heard saying on mobile phone footage shot at the official opening of the Welsh Parliament’s sixth session in Cardiff.
In video footage filmed by the Welsh parliament, the Queen also accused leaders of hypocrisy.
“It’s really irritating when they talk, but they don’t do,” she said.
Mr Morrison had indicated he needed to consider the “significant undertaking” of quarantine requirements prior to committing to attending the summit.
Negotiations continue over Australia's Glasgow position
Mr Morrison has been locked in negotiations with Coalition partners the Nationals about securing a climate change policy platform to take to Glasgow.
Australia’s current commitment is to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement.
The Morrison government has promised to provide an update on what it expects to achieve ahead of the Glasgow summit.
But the fate of the policy pledge hangs in the balance with the climate roadmap expected to be presented to a Nationals party room meeting on Sunday.
Senior Nationals have warned they won't sign off on any further commitments until they are satisfied with the cost and impact of any commitments on regional Australia.
Mr Morrison signalled his recognition of these concerns during his press conference as negotiations continue to shore up support from the 21-member National party.
"The global changes that are happening in our economy as a result of the response to climate change have a real impact and they will have a real impact here in Australia," he said.
The Prime Minister said the plan being considered was about ensuring that jobs in regional Australia - reliant on the resources and agriculture industries - would not only be "protected" but given "opportunities" into the future.
"It is not just about hitting net zero," he said.
"That is an important environmental goal but what is important is that Australia's economy goes from strength to strength."
COP26 President Alok Sharma earlier this week called out the G20 nations that had not ramped up their climate pledges ahead of the international talks.
He said those countries must join others in the international community who have already made more ambitious commitments.
The Morrison government has resisted formally committing to a net zero emissions target by 2050 instead indicating it wants to reach the goal as soon as possible and "preferably" by mid-century.
This is despite widespread international support for the target and business and industry groups pressing for a strong commitment from Australia ahead of COP26.
