The Australian Greens are disappointed the government-dominated Senate committee into the Greens’ bill for mandatory vehicle emissions standards has opposed the bill.  

Minister Hunt announced in his National Press Club speech today that the government would set national vehicle emissions standards from 2020.

"The government is stuck in the slow lane on fuel efficiency, ” Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, said.

On the eve of global climate negotiations kicking off in Paris, the Australian Greens have today released their detailed plan ensure that by 2030 Australia's energy generation is at least 90% renewable and twice as efficient. A new government authority called RenewAustralia would deliver a 15 year pipeline of clean energy projects through a combination of reverse auctions and direct investment.

"Today the Greens unveil RenewAustralia - our plan to power the new economy and create thousands of jobs ," said Australian Greens Leader, Dr Richard Di Natale.

Following tragic fires in Western Australia and the Climate Council's report on bushfire preparedness, the Australian Greens are calling for governments to work together on a plan for longer fire seasons that looks after firefighters.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, said:

The second Emissions Reduction Fund auction results, made public this afternoon, shift massive cost to the taxpayer and are totally undermined by emissions from the Turnbull-approved Adani coal mine.

"The Government's climate policy is a massive cost shift from the polluters to the public, since they axed the obligation on polluters to pay for their pollution," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, said.

The Turnbull Government has confirmed its opposition to a proposal by Japan and the US to cut international fossil fuel subsidies, by voting against a Greens Senate motion which was today narrowly defeated 30 votes to 30.

 "The Turnbull Government has today made clear that it is pushing ahead with Abbott-style obstruction of international climate action," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, said.  

The Australian Greens are calling on the Turnbull Government to stop blocking international moves to reduce OECD countries' subsidies to coal-fired power stations in developing countries.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, who asked the government why it was blocking the deal in Senate Question Time today, said:  

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten are heading to the world climate talks in Paris in just weeks - alongside our Greens Senators Richard Di Natale and Larissa Waters who will be there holding them to account! Together, we need to build the public pressure on Turnbull and Shorten in the lead up to Paris, and into the election. That's why we're hosting climate doorknocks as part of a national effort of climate organisations and activists *this* Saturday. Please join us at one near you!

The Australian Greens welcome the Australian Conservation Foundation's legal challenge against the federal government's re-approval of Adani's Carmichael coal mine, launched today.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, said:

"The Turnbull Government has failed in its international responsibility to protect the Great Barrier Reef by approving the Southern Hemisphere's largest coal mine.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation's annual report, released today, confirms the urgent need to act on vehicle emissions.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, said:

"As well as noting that clean transport has officially become 'cool', the CEFC CEO states that 'Australia's average fuel economy is among the lowest in the world'.