Every country needs to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Australia. I don't necessarily disagree with the cynical view that these gatherings can be more about money and influence. But the underlying issue is very real and very pressing.
Talk about the difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees can seem very abstract, but the worry isn't (or shouldn't be) about linear warming, it is (or should be) about non-linear responses, feedback loops and tipping points.