Australian government policy aims to make big polluters reduce emissions

Some of the coal-burning Hazelwood Power Station’s eight chimneys begin to topple as they are demolished and the station is decommissioned in Hazelwood, Victoria (AAP via AP)

The Australian government has taken a major step towards implementing a key climate policy that would force chief greenhouse gas polluters to reduce emissions, with the minor Greens party pledging their support.

The centre-left Labour Party administration said the so-called Safeguard Mechanism reforms are essential for Australia to reach its target of reducing its emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by the end of the decade.