The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme – Key Aspects Of The White Paper

Emissions Targets

On 15 December 2008 the Government released the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme ("the Scheme") White Paper and with it, Australia's carbon emissions targets post 2012.

The Government has set its commitment at between 5% and 15% below 2000 levels by 2020.

• The 5% target is unconditional
• The 15% target applies if all major economies commit to substantially restrain emissions, with advanced economies talking on reductions comparable to Australia.

Coverage

• The Scheme will have a very broad coverage including all six greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol.
• There are no changes to the sectors covered in the Green Paper, and thus the Scheme will cover emissions from stationary energy, transport, fugitive emissions, industrial processes, waste and forestry sectors. Forestry is to remain as opt-in, and the future inclusion of agriculture to be decided on in 2013, however the earliest inclusion date is 2015.