Sun rises on Climate Change Authority

The independent expert Climate Change Authority has released its first issues paper, calling for submissions to its review of the Renewable Energy Target.

"This important first paper from the Climate Authority points to the impressive potential of renewable energy such as wind, solar, tidal and geothermal to power our country without polluting the atmosphere and driving global warming," Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"I strongly encourage the renewable energy sector, environmentalists and the community at large to engage fully with this review process as a great opportunity to lift our sights to a far more ambitious target for Australia's clean energy by 2030.

"In the past five years electricity generation from wind has grown by over 40 per cent - in the face of wild opposition - and solar has increased by over 25 per cent.

"The Climate Change Authority, a central plank of the multiparty agreement between the Labor party and the Greens to put a price on pollution, will play a very important role in shaping Australia's climate change policies from this point forward and this issues paper is an excellent first contribution."