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The Australian Government has embraced a comprehensive plan of action to reduce our national emissions. Key elements include:

• A commitment to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent on 2000 levels by 2050
• Implementing a comprehensive emissions trading scheme by 2010 to deliver these targets
• Investing in research and development on low emissions technologies
  • Tackling climate change will require a wide range of appropriate technologies, including clean fossil fuels, biofuels, hydrogen and energy efficiency.
  • The Government is investing $500 million in a Renewable Energy Fund; $500 million for a National Clean Coal Fund; $500 million for the Green Car Innovation fund; $150 million for solar and clean energy research and $240 million to establish Clean Business Australia, tackling climate change through projects with a focus on productivity and innovation.
• Helping households and businesses to use energy more wisely.
  
  Through direct financial incentives, strengthened energy efficiency regulations and targeted information, households will be helped to use less energy while saving money. Key measures include
  • $10,000 low interest loans for Australian households to implement energy and water savings,
  • rebates for energy-efficient insulation for 300,000 rental homes,
  • $8000 rebates for rooftop solar power panels,
  • $1000 rebates for solar hot water systems,
  • $500 rebates for rainwater tanks and grey water recycling,
  • improved cost-saving energy and water efficiency standards for new homes and appliances, and
  • making every school a 'solar school' within eight years.
• Setting a 20 per cent target for renewable energy by 2020 to dramatically expand the use of renewable energy
  • Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar will be a key part of the global solution, and Australia has vast potential in these key areas.
• More about Australian Government Action on Climate Change

• Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
• Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
• Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator

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