In 2015, Australia went to the Paris climate conference with a reduction target of 26 to 28 per cent of its 2005 emissions by 2030.

Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, Josh Frydenberg, characterised this target as "extremely significant" in comparison with the rest of the world on ABC TV's Q&A.

"The target we took to Paris which was to reduce our emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, saw the second highest target taken to Paris on a per capita basis," he said.

Fact Check tested a similar claim from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before the Paris conference in 2015 — that claim was found to be incorrect.

The original claim

"When they are measured on a per capita basis, which is the only way they can reasonably be compared with other countries, they are second only to the emission cuts offered by Brazil," Mr Turnbull told Parliament on November 23, 2015.

Fact Check calculated the per capita emissions reduction targets of Australia, Brazil and several other countries.

Australia's target means that emissions will be reduced by between 50.5 per cent and 51.9 per cent on 2005 levels per capita by 2030.

Brazil's target, calculated as a 53 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030 per capita, stands above Australia, but Switzerland (60.6 per cent) and Norway (56.7 per cent) are both above Brazil.

Furthermore, Iceland (52.1 per cent) sits between Australia and Brazil.

By these calculations, the emissions targets which Australia took to Paris were at most fifth in the world.

Ultimately, Mr Turnbull was, and Mr Frydenberg is, incorrect.