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Australia government reaches emissions reduction deal | Australia government reaches emissions reduction deal |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Australian government has reached a deal with a key political party and independent senators to push through a carbon emissions plan. | The Australian government has reached a deal with a key political party and independent senators to push through a carbon emissions plan. |
The Palmer United Party, led by mining tycoon Clive Palmer, and senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan agreed to a controversial emissions reduction fund. | |
The A$2.5bn (£1.4bn, $2.2bn) fund will be used to pay big polluters to cut emissions and use cleaner energy. | The A$2.5bn (£1.4bn, $2.2bn) fund will be used to pay big polluters to cut emissions and use cleaner energy. |
The deal was criticised by the opposition and environment groups. | |
Australia has one of the world's highest carbon emissions per capita. | Australia has one of the world's highest carbon emissions per capita. |
The new carbon emissions plan replaces a carbon tax scheme which senators voted to repeal in July. | |
Prime Minister Tony Abbott's ruling coalition had campaigned partly on repealing the carbon tax and replacing it with its own reduction plan. | Prime Minister Tony Abbott's ruling coalition had campaigned partly on repealing the carbon tax and replacing it with its own reduction plan. |
Concessions | Concessions |
In order to push through the plan, the Australian government agreed to some concessions suggested by Mr Palmer and other senators. | In order to push through the plan, the Australian government agreed to some concessions suggested by Mr Palmer and other senators. |
It will not abolish an independent climate change body as planned. Instead, the body will be directed to review emissions trading schemes (ETS) in other countries. Under an ETS, a fixed number of permits to emit pollutants can be traded between firms. | It will not abolish an independent climate change body as planned. Instead, the body will be directed to review emissions trading schemes (ETS) in other countries. Under an ETS, a fixed number of permits to emit pollutants can be traded between firms. |
Mr Palmer's party is pushing for such a scheme to be implemented in Australia only if the country's trading partners have one too. Mr Palmer said on Wednesday that he has "kept alive" that prospect. | Mr Palmer's party is pushing for such a scheme to be implemented in Australia only if the country's trading partners have one too. Mr Palmer said on Wednesday that he has "kept alive" that prospect. |
The government also agreed to put in place an unspecified "safeguard mechanism" by Mr Xenophon to ensure companies comply with requirements. | The government also agreed to put in place an unspecified "safeguard mechanism" by Mr Xenophon to ensure companies comply with requirements. |
The original carbon tax scheme was introduced by the former Labor government, which also supports an emissions trading scheme. | |
Labor leader Bill Shorten criticised Wednesday's deal, saying Mr Abbott had "sold his soul to Clive Palmer, and Australia will pay the price". | |
'Incomplete and ineffective' | |
Greens leader Christine Milne meanwhile said the emissions reductions fund (ERF) will "pay polluters to pollute" . | Greens leader Christine Milne meanwhile said the emissions reductions fund (ERF) will "pay polluters to pollute" . |
Australia aims to cut emissions to 5% below their level in 2000 within six years. | Australia aims to cut emissions to 5% below their level in 2000 within six years. |
The deal was welcomed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who described the ERF as "the best short term option to reduce emissions". | |
"We don't want to rush into an emissions trading scheme and impose unnecessary costs on Australian businesses," the group said. | |
However, environmental organisations criticised the deal. | |
"The Government's so-called direct action plan sets no cap on pollution and places no obligation on polluters," the Australian Conservation Foundation said, describing the deal as "weak, incomplete and ineffective". | |
Climate Institute deputy chief executive Erwin Jackson told the Australian Associated Press: "No independent modelling has shown that the government's policy can achieve our [emissions reduction] targets." |