Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken a tiny step towards a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

In an address to the National Press Club this week, the PM said: “Our goal is to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible, and preferably by 2050”.

It has been seen as an improvement from his previous claims of wanting net zero “as quickly as possible”.

However, he gave no real details on whether his government would actually accept a 2050 target anytime this year. 

Many expect he will announce a policy to save face for Australia at the upcoming Glasgow climate conference in November.

In the US, John Kerry has been appointed climate envoy for the new president Joe Biden. Mr Kerry spoke to Australia’s energy minister Angus Taylor last week, and after the meeting said he “welcomed Australia’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions as soon as possible”.

Mr Morrison’s resolve will be tested at President Biden’s planned leaders’ climate summit on Earth Day, April 22. The PM has already begun downplaying the importance of the meeting.

“At this stage, we haven’t received the details or nature of the event,” Mr Morrison said of the April gathering.

“As you can appreciate, things are very busy over in the White House at the moment.”

But he said that when he does get the details; “then I’m sure the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne and I, and Angus Taylor, and others, will discuss what is the best way for us to participate in that and how that will work”.

“But we welcome it and we look forward to supporting it,” Mr Morrison said.

The Prime Minister has been accused of running a campaign of “indefinite climate delay”.