The Federal Government agrees with the independent advice of the Climate Change Authority that the current Renewable Energy Target (RET) should not be watered down.
In response to a review by the Authority, the Government has decided to maintain the RET to ensure at least 20 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources, like solar, wind and hydro, by 2020.
The government's decision on the key design features of the RET will ensure the 20 per cent target is a minimum, leaving the way open for improvements in energy efficiency to deliver a higher share of renewable energy.
This will position Australia well to respond to the challenges of climate change as well as the long term targets for reducing carbon pollution.
The Climate Change Authority's analysis shows reducing the legislated large-scale renewable energy target of 41,000 gigawatt hours would increase carbon pollution by 119 million tonnes over the life of the scheme.
It would also create investment uncertainty that would undermine existing and proposed renewable energy investment in Australia.
Since 2007, over 2,000 megawatts of large-scale renewable energy projects, worth over $5 billion, have been completed.
During the same period, the RET has supported the installation of over 985,000 rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and nearly 600,000 solar and heat pump water heaters.
The government response to the Authority's final report on the review is available at www.climatechange.gov.au.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the government is committed to the RET and carbon pricing which is driving change.
"It is already driving change, it has contributed to an 8.6 per cent fall in emissions in its first six months of operation," he said.
"We have to play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
