Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has commended the leaders of the European Union for today setting an emissions reduction target of 40 per cent by 2030, saying Australia's 2020 target is disastrously inadequate and must be drastically increased for 2030.

"For the health of our communities and the health of our economy, Tony Abbott needs to pull his head out of the sand and get real about action on climate change," said Senator Milne.

Responding to the decision by Keppel Prince to mothball its entire wind turbine division and lay off 100 workers, Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Abbott government has taken a wrecking ball to the industry that holds the best hope of providing future jobs and investment in Australia.

"The Abbott government is destroying jobs now and Australia's best hope of future investment beyond the mining boom in order to protect its billionaire mates in the coal industry," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Renewable Energy Target policy announced by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane adopts key recommendations from the discredited Warburton review and should be rejected by the Labor party.

"Renewable Energy is one of the growth industries for Tasmania. Any Tasmanian politician who votes for changes to water down the RET will be betraying the people who voted for them," said Senator Milne.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Renewable Energy Target policy announced by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane adopts key recommendations from the discredited Warburton review and should be rejected by the Labor party.

"There is absolutely no reason, and no excuse, for weakening the Renewable Energy Target. The Labor Party must stand firm and reject this deal outright," said Senator Milne.

The Global Green Economy Index out today lists Australia as last among 60 countries assessed for leadership on global warming

“Tony Abbott has well and truly demolished Australia’s standing as a world leader in addressing global warming. We were the best and now we are the worst. It is a tragedy and must be reversed,” Senator Christine Milne, Leader of the Australian Greens, said.

“Opportunities, skills and investment have been lost overseas because of Tony Abbott’s refusal to act as the science tells us we must.

Hydro Tasmania’s record profit announcement today highlights what a fantastic boost the carbon price and Renewable Energy Target (RET) have been for Tasmania, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

“Hydro Tasmania has made a record profit thanks to the carbon price and RET, but the Abbott government has deliberately destroyed future profit potential,” Senator Milne said.

Palmer wants to cut the Renewable Energy Target (RET) by 5% and let big business off the hook.

The Palmer United Party are asking the Government to give the aluminium industry a 100% exemption from the RET.

The aluminium industry is currently required to source just 10% of their electricity from clean energy sources. Palmer is asking that this be reduced to zero. 

Renewable energy is pushing the price of electricity down. Palmer’s plan to cut the RET is nothing short of a hand out for big business, payed for by households and small business.

At Parliament House this morning Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne stood with students studying for clean energy jobs, urging the other parties not to help Tony Abbott degrade the Renewable Energy Target.

"The Renewable Energy Target must not be tampered with. The only compromise should be getting the Abbott government to move with the times and start shutting down fossil fuels," said Senator Milne.