Bill Shorten is working on compromises to maintain the Renewable Energy target today.

The Opposition Leader has called a meeting of the renewable energy industry, seemingly to gather support for a new position to present to the Abbott government.

Also today, cabinet will discuss a recent letter from the federal Environment Minister and Industry Minister, which detailed the lack of progress in RET negotiations.

Currently, the debate remains where it has been for some time.

The government wants to cut the target from 41,000 gigawatt hours by 2020 to a figure closer to 26,000 gigawatt hours.

But Labor and the renewables industry insist the target must be in the mid-to-high 30,000 gigawatt hours.

Shorten says a deadline on the decision is coming up in April, when trade-exposed industries face their regular renewable energy target liability.

One of the few points both major parties can agree on is that trade-exposed industries should be exempted completely.

“Every day the government has refused to budge from 26,000 gigawatt hours, investment has been undermined,” Shorten said on Sunday.

“Labor and the industry have dragged the government kicking and screaming from 26,000 gigawatt hours to 31,000 gigawatt hours. This level will still drive investment out of the country and as a result, increase electricity prices and pollution.

“Labor’s position is clear – we want to see strong renewable energy industry in Australia, one that is not undermined by the ideology of the Liberal party. The sector needs certainty and we need a deal now – and we will do everything we can to ensure that happens.”

A range of industry, union and renewable energy figures will attend today’s RET summit.