Emissions scheme wastes millions on projects that would have gone ahead anyway

Government advisers call for changes to Direct Action policy to end investment in schemes that do not reduce emissions• Sign up to receive the top stories every morningIndependent experts advising the Turnbull government have called for changes to the Coalition’s Direct Action climate policy to prevent tens of millions of dollars of public money going to projects that would have gone ahead anyway. The recommendation is in a review of the $2.55bn emissions reduction fund, the central plank of Direct Action, which pays landowners and companies to avoid emissions or sequester carbon dioxide in plants at the lowest cost. The fund is supposed to support projects that would reduce Australia’s carbon pollution below what it would otherwise have been. Related: Greg Hunt hasn't a lot to show for $660m spent on reducing greenhouse emissions Related: Bin liners to takeaway containers – ideas to solve your plastic conundrums Continue reading...