The climate wars have reignited in the coalition party room after leadership turmoil engulfing the Nationals stoked tensions on the issue.
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Nationals leader Michael McCormack survived a leadership tilt on Tuesday from former leader Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Joyce has described climate change as a "hobby horse" issue as Liberal party moderates call for more action to cut emissions and boost investment in renewable energy.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he won't be bullied into tougher action on climate change.
"We listen to Australians right across the country. Not just in the inner city," Mr Morrison told Nine on Wednesday.
"We won't be bullied into higher taxes or higher electricity prices."
He doubled down later, saying Australians had endorsed the coalition's policies by voting them into government.
"I would never make a commitment like that if I couldn't tell the Australian people what it would cost them," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
It comes as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson flags banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 as the country moves towards a net-zero emissions target.
Mr McCormack pointed to the action the government was already taking on emissions targets.
"But we're doing it in a responsible way," Mr McCormack told ABC on Wednesday.
"We don't want to be sending industry offshore. And there is a future for coal in this country."
New Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud said businesses had certainty there would not be significant changes to energy policy.
"It's not just Australia that has to act (on climate change)," Mr Littleproud told ABC.
At a coalition partyroom meeting on Tuesday, some members referred to an "ultimate ambition of carbon neutrality" by ensuring Australia became a global leader in renewables.
As the Greens target younger voters with climate change policies at the next election, newly minted leader Adam Bandt sat down with school climate strikers at Parliament House on Wednesday morning.
Canberra teenager Aoibhinn Crimmins said the lack of government action on climate change left her angry and wanting stronger policies.
"How can we be kids in the climate crisis," Ms Crimmins said.
Leaked talking points from the government on Tuesday showed extensive responses its team should adopt on climate change questions, highlighting its vulnerability on the issue.
Earlier on Wednesday, two climate protesters were arrested after gluing themselves to one of the roads into parliament.
Australian Associated Press
