The Climate Institute today described the Coalition’s climate policy as “carbon Viagra” for an aging, inefficient carbon intensive economy and as a high risk strategy devoid of long-term planning.

“This is like a dose of ‘carbon Viagra’ for an aging, inefficient carbon intensive economy,” said The Climate Institute CEO John Connor.

“While there are some positives, it’s a high-risk strategy with no long-term plans beyond 2020.

“There is no guarantee the Coalition plan would reach the 5% target or deliver anything near 25% reductions by 2020, which is Australia’s fair contribution to avoiding dangerous global climate change.

“There is no absolute cap, or limit, on emissions and no guarantee that big polluters will clean up their act as there is no disincentive to pollute, which makes it fundamentally flawed.

“The fact is that Australia has one of the most energy inefficient, polluting economies and in a world turning to clean energy, our competitors among China, India and Europe are leaving us behind in clean energy investments, jobs and industries.

“The Coalition plan to rebuild carbon in Australian soils is potentially positive but high risk in that global rules don’t allow soil carbon to be counted towards its target under the current international rules. The risk is that taxpayers may have to fork out for the extra abatement needed to make up the difference.”