Fifty organisations join call to urge politicians for zero emissions

Firefighters, doctors, farmers and aid groups are among 50 non-government organisations joining forces to demand politicians commit to zero carbon pollution by 2050.

The organisations on Tuesday published an open letter urging parliament to set the goal, saying it's an opportunity to modernise the Australian economy and build a prosperous future.

The letter has been penned by representatives from the environmental, aid, legal, health, union, farming, social services and religious sectors.

"A zero carbon pollution future is possible, and it is all of our responsibility to make that future a reality for our children, and their children," the letter states.

"Australian people stand to lose so much from the impacts of climate change."

The international community has agreed to try to limit global warming to two degrees.

It is hoped nations can reach a global agreement to cut carbon pollution, at the United Nations climate change conference later this year.

Australia is expected to announce its post-2020 emissions reduction target in July, and the government maintains the nation will meet or beat its five per cent goal by 2020.

The Greens want a 2025 target of 50 per cent, while the Climate Institute and Climate Change Authority want carbon emissions slashed by 45 per cent by that time.

The groups calling for zero emissions by 2050 include the Australian Council of Social Services, the Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance, the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Environmental Farmers Network.