Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, will re-introduce amendments to the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act to require large energy users to implement the findings of energy efficiency audits in the next Senate sitting period.

A report for COAG by Allen Consulting Group, suppressed since June until revealed today in the Carbon and Environment Daily newsletter, backs the Greens position that mandating energy efficiency for large users would have a substantial impact in reducing emissions with economic benefits that companies currently do not consider given the broad range of decisions they face each day.

Senator Milne said, "Energy efficiency provides a tremendous opportunity to reduce emissions fast and save money into the bargain, and yet too often it is overlooked.

"The rush to claim, and to hand out, 'compensation' for increased prices due to emissions trading clearly demonstrates the lack of information about efficiency opportunities that even those in positions of great responsibility have.

"Very few decision-makers, from governments to industry to householders, seem to understand that almost everyone can save more money by saving energy than they will have to pay out thanks to higher energy prices.

"The Greens will argue strongly that, if the Government insists on compensating big polluters for the impact of the emissions trading scheme, any compensation must be linked directly to efforts to reduce emissions. Unless polluters make a real effort to reduce the amount they pollute, and to achieve the scheme's supposed desired outcome, they should not be 'compensated' for the financial imposition the scheme places on them.

"The Greens will re-introduce amendments to the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006 to mandate the implementation of the energy efficiency audits that large energy users are already required to conduct. Any opportunities with a payback period of three years or less would have to be implemented immediately, with longer-term investments phased in over time.

"Both Labor and the Coalition opposed these amendments on both occasions they have been debated until now. Perhaps now that my amendments have the backing of Allens Consulting, and a similar scheme is operational in Victoria, the big old parties could see their way to supporting them?"

The Allen Consulting Group report can be downloaded here.