Antinuclear

Greens proposing practical carbon scheme

Unlike Kevin Rudd’s scheme, it would be in surplus from the start and there would be no compensation for the coal and electricity sectors and less assistance for high-emitting industries.

Greens propose interim carbon tax ABC News By Alexandra Kirk for AM 21 Jan 2010 The Greens are attempting to break the political deadlock over emissions trading by suggesting an interim two-year scheme with a fixed price on carbon.Greens Senator Christine Milne is writing to the Government and the Opposition proposing a carbon price of $20 a tonne………….

[Senator Christine Milne] “The Greens are proposing as an interim, two-year measure, starting in July this year, that we introduce a $20 carbon price. Now that is what Professor Garnaut argued when he released his report, saying that you could do this for an interim period.

“It would give us the breathing space to be able to negotiate a rigorous target, to negotiate some of the aspects of the emissions trading scheme that we don’t agree with the Government on.”…………….

Senator Milne says someone has to get things moving.

“We are living currently in a political environment where nothing is happening in Australia in terms of a carbon price and our domestic emissions are rising,” she said.

“Based on the modelling done to date, the Greens believe that [the carbon price] would halt the growth in emissions, turn it around and reduce emissions by a small amount, probably in the vicinity of 2 per cent.”

The Greens say their plan would generate $5 billion to compensate households, with the same amount for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Unlike Kevin Rudd’s scheme, it would be in surplus from the start and there would be no compensation for the coal and electricity sectors and less assistance for high-emitting industries. Senator Milne says she hopes Ross Garnaut, who was the Government’s key climate change advisor, will endorse the strategy.

Greens propose interim carbon tax – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

January 21, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy | climate change, climate change - global warming, energy