The Australian government’s response:

Because of its special economic circumstances, Australia was one of three developed nations that were allowed small increases in annual greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Under this protocol, Australia's target is for annual emissions, averaged over the period 2008 to 2012, to be no more than eight per cent greater than our country's emissions were in 1990.

The Australian Government is still working towards meeting this target by the prescribed deadline. However, the governments of Australia and the USA have not legally committed to the Kyoto Protocol, preferring to take the alternative approach to international cooperation on greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The Australian Government has introduced a range of measures that address both the supply and demand of energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One such program is the Greenhouse Challenge Plus, which is a cooperative effort between industry and the Australian Government. The program aims to encourage industries to become more efficient in their energy use and processing and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about Greenhouse Challenge Plus, go to:
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/challenge/

Next Section >> The response in Western Australia.

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