Benchmark of good policy is science, not Abbott

Greens acting leader Larissa Waters says a Renewable Energy Target of 50% by 2030 is better than the Abbott government's ideological opposition to clean energy, but still way short of what's necessary to limit dangerous global warming.

"Today's announcement from Labor on renewable energy is better than Tony Abbott's anti-renewables vendetta, but it fails to meet the true benchmark, which is the science," said Senator Waters.

"Saying you'll make better climate policy than Tony Abbott like saying you'll outrun a newborn baby. Of course you will. But it doesn't mean you're keeping pace with the rest of the world, or what's necessary.

"The Greens have long advocated a Renewable Energy Target of 90% by 2030, which is what the science says we need - to protect the community from the devastating impacts of global warming on our health, the health of our environment and our economy.

"Contrary to the Environment Minister's claims, his own government's modelling has shown more clean energy would reduce power bills.

"Today's move from Labor marks a significant shift from a few weeks ago, when the ALP and the Coalition slashed our renewable energy target and enabled the burning of native forests.

"The original RET had us on track for 30% renewables by 2020, so another 20% one decade on actually puts us on a slower trajectory for change.

"The Greens welcome Labor's change of tack on this issue and we look forward to an election campaign in which global warming is front and centre," said Senator Waters.

"The missing link here is coal - where are Labor's policies for shutting down coal power and helping workers and communities to transition to clean energy?"