Do we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent before 2020?

Opinion

KEY POINTS:

• Is the Government's emissions reduction target of 10-20 per cent by 2020 achievable?

The Government has announced its aim of between 10 and 20% emissions reductions targets by 2020.

The recent science published since the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports signify that a 40 per cent target by 2020 is the least that developed countries need to do to prevent "dangerous climate change" of more than 2C.

Do we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent before 2020 or is the government on the right track?