Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today welcomed Malcolm Turnbull's final acceptance of the need for vehicle fuel efficiency standards, but rejected his view that fuel could escape carbon pricing.

Senator Milne said, "It is very pleasing that Malcolm Turnbull, who as Environment Minister repeatedly rejected calls for increased vehicle fuel efficiency standards, now understands how important they are.

"However, Mr Turnbull is wrong if he believes that fuel efficiency standards alone will be an adequate response to the climate and fuel crisis.

"While the Greens agree that emissions trading may not be the best option for transport, the sector cannot escape a carbon price. Pricing the embedded carbon in fuel through a carbon tax is probably a more efficient and transparent way of dealing with transport emissions than through an emissions trading scheme.

"Mr Turnbull is not being straight with the people of Australia in leading them to believe that a cut in fuel excise will give them relief from the ever rising global oil price. Peak oil is here and the way to deal with it is massive investment in efficient vehicles, alternative fuels, and, most importantly of all, fast, efficient mass transit.

"The Greens have long argued that mandatory efficiency standards are necessary to reduce greenhouse emissions, wean us off our addiction to oil as its supply peaks, and, over time, provide cheaper transport for all Australians. In addition, the mandatory standards in China and elsewhere in our region would prevent our cars from entering their markets in the near future unless we change.

"The Greens have argued for all subsidies to car manufacturers in Australia to be tied to vehicle fuel efficiency standards, something Malcolm Turnbull rejected as Environment Minister. Will he now accept the need for such action?

"If he were serious about vehicle fuel efficiency, Mr Turnbull would also loudly tackle the Rudd Government for the farcical Budget decision to only begin the much-vaunted Green Car Fund in 2011, after the next election."