Australia's second-largest state of Victoria on Sunday committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% by 2030, based on 2005 levels, and to power all government operations like schools and hospitals with renewable energy within the next four years.

One of the world's largest carbon emitters on a per capita basis, Australia is under mounting pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions after its center-right federal government failed to match new targets pledged by the United States and others at a global climate summit.

Calling it an "ambitious" goal, the Victorian government, led by the center-left Labor party, said the medium-term plans were in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change and with new targets announced by U.S. President Joe Biden at last month's global summit.