Australian company Origin Energy has welcomed the release of the draft CPRS (Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme) legislation.

Origin’s Executive General Manager of Policy and Sustainability, Carl McCamish reiterated Origin’s continued support for an emissions trading scheme.

“An emissions trading scheme is the lowest cost and most flexible way to address climate change and it is the easiest way to link with international schemes,” Mr McCamish said.

“While we believe that a 5 per cent reduction on 1990 levels is the least contribution that Australia should make, it will still require substantial contributions across the board.

“Actions by individuals for example who buy GreenPower or install a solar panel or hot water system, all have a direct impact on assisting the development of these technologies and new green industries. This activity is an important investment in the long term solution to climate change. “We encourage the Government to continue to working on provisions to make individual efforts additional by making relatively straightforward amendments to the scheme, especially in relation to the way offsets and GreenPower are treated. For example the CPRS target could be tightened to account for voluntary renewable energy sales or CPRS permits (and AAUs) could be cancelled,” McCamish added.

Tags: Origin Energy