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A mushroom cloud rises with ships below during Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons test on Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands in this 1946 handout provided by the U.S. Library of Congress. The United States said on April 25, 2014, it was examining lawsuits filed by the Marshall Islands against it and eight other nuclear-armed countries that accuse them of failing in their obligation to negotiate nuclear disarmament. REUTERS/U.S. Library of Congress/Handout via Reuters

The Marshall Islands, one of the smallest countries in the world, has decided to follow an ambitious plan to restrict greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, it wants Australia to follow the same.

The Marshall Islands, in its submission to the United Nations climate change negotiations, has decided to cut emissions by 32 per cent from 2010 levels by 2025. According to The Climate Institute, Australia can cut emissions 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2025 if it follows the plan.

CNN Opinion Columnist John D Sutter earlier wrote that everyone should help the island nation in its fight against climate change. Everyone should stop polluting or at least try to pollute a little less, he wrote. Among other suggestions, he asks people to buy electricity from green sources.

The tiny island nation has a population of only 70,000 across 34 coral islands and atolls. It is believed to be one of the countries to suffer the devastating effects of climate change. It has also suffered drought and storm in recent years.

The Marshall Islands wants countries to have targets for 2025 and avoid setting targets for 2030 to avoid “insufficient ambition.” The government said that it would aim for a 45 per cent cut to emissions by 2030.

Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum said that the country had already been affected by extreme climate conditions. “It is important that Australian people understand we are not just playing footsie politics with the leaders of our big neighbour to the south,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted de Brum, “We are really serious about its need to contribute to our safety and future security.”

The Marshall Islands foreign minister hoped that Australia would play a leading role in the international debate on climate change. He said that Australia remained as a critical factor in the international effort to fight the issue.

According to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Australia's post-2020 target is “strong, credible, responsible and consistent with continued economic growth, jobs growth and development.” She said that every nation should set achievable and responsible targets.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au

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