Climate Action Community Groups around Australia recommend:

1. That Australia ratifies the Kyoto Protocol.

2. That Australian greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to 30% below the 1990 emission levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

3. That the Government adopt a national strategy for greenhouse gas emission reductions

to meet the targets (see 2). This strategy will be developed through public consultation.

This strategy must address the tax deductions and subsidies provided to greenhouse intensive

activities and industries.

4. That Government funding for research and development into demand side management,

energy efficiency and renewable energy is increased to achieve the targets (see 2).

5. That a national energy efficiency scheme is implemented.

6. That subsidies and tax breaks that support and encourage fossil fuel use are removed,

and this funding is instead invested in renewable energy research and development

7. That the percentage of Australia’s energy being sourced from renewable energy sources

is substantially increased (see 18).

8. That all Government agencies purchase electricity with 100% renewable energy

accredited under the National Green Power Accreditation Program.

9. That the Green Power Accreditation Program is reviewed.

10. That a carbon accounting scheme is implemented. This could be in the form of either a

Carbon tax or Emissions Trading Scheme, or both.

11. That new coal-fired power stations and new coal mines are prohibited, and plans to

expand existing coal mines and other actions likely to result in the emissions of large

amounts of greenhouse gases are thoroughly assessed for their greenhouse contribution

through a 'greenhouse trigger' in environmental law (see 16).

12. That the construction or expansion of a nuclear power reactor is prohibited.

13. That logging in old growth forests in prohibited.

14. That the Prime Minister annually and publicly report on Australia's greenhouse gas

emissions and the progress of a national strategy for reducing emissions. This report

must include greenhouse gas emissions likely to result from the use of fossil fuels

exported from Australia.

15. That each Member of the House of Representatives annually and publicly report on how

they voted on decisions relating to climate change, and any action they have taken to

help address climate change.

16. That the Government carry out a 'greenhouse impact statement' before any Act,

regulation or statutory instrument is made, and report on this process annually.

That the Government amend the main Commonwealth environmental protection law to

include a 'greenhouse trigger'. This law, the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999, should ensure that projects having an adverse impact on the

climate system are assessed and approved by the Commonwealth Government. Projects

to be assessed include the expansion of an existing coal mine, and a change in land use

or land clearing which results in emissions of more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse

gases. New coal mines will be prohibited. The construction or expansion of a nuclear

reactor will be prohibited under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation

Act. Logging of old growth forests will also be prohibited under the Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

That the law setting a mandatory target for renewable energy use is improved. This law,

the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, should allow the renewable energy target to

continue indefinitely. The definition of 'renewable energy' must exclude wood waste as it

may cause the clearing of old growth forests. By 2010, electricity generators must source

an additional 10% of electricity each year from renewable sources. This will be reviewed

by an independent panel in 2010 and 2015. This will increase to 25 % by 2020. By 2050,

sources.

19. That a 'Just Transitions' Committee be established to plan for an equitable and fair

transition for employees and communities affected by Australia’s commitment to a

comprehensive greenhouse reduction program.