After criticising the Kyoto Protocol for not going far enough the Australian government has failed to deliver any concrete measure to reduce greenhouse gases from the Asia-Pacific climate pact meeting, the Australian Greens said today.

"Given that all of the proposed taskforces and the technology transfer being discussed could all be achieved under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, why are Australia and the United States continuing to refuse to ratify the protocol?" Australian Greens climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said in Sydney.

"The answer is simply that they are not prepared to commit to binding emission reduction targets.

"The first meeting of the Asia-Pacific climate pact has simply confirmed that the world's largest greenhouse emitters intend to dig in on coal, oil and gas despite the damage they are doing to the global environment.

"Prime Minister John Howard has put a paltry $100 million on the table, offering just $25 million over five years for renewable energy projects while he backs old, polluting, fossil fuel energy sources.

"Neither this funding commitment nor the taskforces will achieve the kinds of deep emission cuts even Environment Minister Ian Campbell has acknowledged are needed, in the order of 60 per cent by 2050, to avert the worst consequences of climate change.

"Backing nuclear power as a long-term solution to climate change is short-sighted given its high costs, waste problems and the limited supply of uranium.

"This week's decision by the Iranian government to recommence its uranium enrichment research should sound a warning.

"Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are proven means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it is gross hypocrisy for the Prime Minister to set up taskforces when he has refused to increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target or establish an energy efficiency target at home."

Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562