Claims Australia won't meet Paris climate commitment if it keeps coal in the Clean Energy Target

Australia will not meet its Paris emissions reduction targets if the Turnbull government includes coal-fired power in any watered down climate and energy policy, environment groups and the Greens are warning.

The government is yet to make a decision on
 whether to adopt a Clean Energy Target. 

Power companies have also restated their concerns about policy uncertainty after Fairfax Media revealed the government was working on a major redesign of the Clean Energy Target proposed by Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, arguing further change would cause additional uncertainty and delay new investment.

A revised scheme would allow high-efficiency, low-emission coal-fired power plants to receive partial certificates, or credits, under a clean energy scheme.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce would not say on Wednesday what level the government would set for the emissions baseline in the revised target but confirmed "it will keep base load coal-fired power going”.

Read the story by James Massola and Cole Latimer in today’s Melbourne Age - “Claims Australia won't meet Paris climate commitment if it keeps coal in the Clean Energy Target.”