Climate Change Minister Penny Wong announced the move following yesterday's meeting of the COAG working group on climate change and water today.

Wong said the target, which aims to ensure 20% of Australia's electricity supply is sourced from renewable energy by 2020, will provide more consistency for investors as it brings existing state-based targets into one national target.

Other items on the COAG agenda in coming months include harmonising state feed-in tariffs for solar and other renewable energy technologies.