Clean Energy Future

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan, and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet today announced the Australian Government’s comprehensive plan for tackling climate change, ‘Securing a clean energy future’ 

A clean energy future is part of a long term plan to reshape our economy, cut carbon pollution, drive innovation, and help avoid the increased costs of delaying action on climate change.
The comprehensive plan includes:

• putting a price on carbon pollution
• promoting innovation and investment in renewable energy
• improving energy efficiency
• creating opportunities in the land sector to cut pollution.

Under the plan, Australia will cut 159 million tonnes a year of carbon pollution from our atmosphere by 2020 – the equivalent of taking over 45 million cars off the road.

The carbon price will change Australia’s electricity generation by encouraging investment in renewable energy like wind and solar power, and the use of cleaner fuels like natural gas.

Households will be looked after with tax cuts, higher family payments and increases in pensions and benefits, to help meet the costs passed through by some businesses. The household assistance estimator  provides further information about what sort of assistance you might be eligible for.

Individuals, businesses, industry and governments around the world are already taking action to reduce carbon pollution. By acting now, Australia can look forward to long term prosperity for ourselves and future generations.

View the documents that form the Clean Energy Plan.