Climate change is real and we need to build a community consensus about putting a price on carbon in the future. Despite setbacks, Julia Gillard and Labor are already taking real action to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce our carbon emissions.

Key Achievements:

• One of the first acts of the Labor Government in 2007 was to ratify the Kyoto Protocol

• We are supporting green jobs and modernising our economy by investing S5.1 billion in clean energy initiatives, including  support for ground-breaking clean coal technologies, investment in the production of renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal and biofuels right here in Australia

• The Solar Energy for Schools program has helped over 2,500 schools across Australia take practical action to tackle climate change by installing solar panels on their roofs and water tanks.

• An expanded Renewable Energy Target will ensure 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity will come from renewable energy sources by 2020.

• Implementing the Water for the Future Plan, including the first ever purchase of water entitlements by the Federal Government as one important initiative of many to restore the health of the Murray-Darling System.

• Helping secure our urban water supplies by providing funding to help build desalination, water recycling & stormwater harvesting projects in our major cities & towns.

• Helping Australia move to renewable energy by delivering more than 100,000 solar panels and more than 170,000 solar hot water systems, which not only tackles climate change but importantly helps families save on energy costs.

• We have also invested to transform the automotive industry with the roll-out of the Hybrid Camry, the first Australian-built hybrid car.

• Created a user friendly “one-stop-green-shop” website that links families, schools and businesses to all government energy and water efficiency programs.