The federal government is defending its support for growth in Australia's coal industry despite dire warnings from United Nations climate experts on fossil fuels' effect on the climate.
The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned the world that time is running out for burning fossil fuels -- and very quickly.
But Environment Minister Greg Hunt says he believes Australia does not have to give up using coal altogether.
Mr Hunt is citing the Government's newly legislated Direct Action climate policy, which he says will clean up coal energy use while allowing the industry to flourish.
His comments echo those of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Mr Abbott recently spoke at the opening of a new Queensland coalmine, where he made it clear the Government would continue to support coal expansion.
He told the gathering that coal should not be demonised.
"Coal is vital for the future energy needs of the world, and energy is critical if the world is to continue to grow and prosper. So let's have no demonisation of coal. Coal is good for humanity. Coal is good for prosperity. Coal is an essential part of our economic future, here in Australia and right around the world. And I want to say that the Government I lead is determined to create the conditions for the continued expansion of the coal industry."
The Opposition says Tony Abbott has to realise his Direct Action climate plan is inadequate in the face of the science surrounding climate change.
The Opposition has also criticised his plans to scale back the nation's Renewable Energy Target.
It is designed to ensure one fifth of Australia's electricity would come from renewable sources by 2020.
Opposition environment spokesman Mark Butler says Australia is falling behind the rest of the world.
"This report reaffirms the importance of the whole world starting to lift its renewable energy investment. It just reaffirms the recklessness of Tony Abbott walking away from his election promise to keep Australia's Renewable Energy Target in place. At a time when the scientific advice is only becoming clearer, at a time when the rest of the world -- including China and the United States -- is moving forward, it is utterly reckless of Tony Abbott (and Australia) to be the only country moving backwards on climate change."
Greens leader Christine Milne says fossil fuel reserves must be left in the ground or there is no chance of preventing catastrophic warming.
Ms Milne says Mr Abbott can no longer engage in what she calls high risk, climate denying behaviour.
"This report makes it clear we have run out of time. We must act on global warming now. The scientists have made it clear global warming is not only real, it's accelerating. We have got so many issues that we have to leave our fossil fuels in the ground. Renewable energy is the future, not coal mines. The clear outcome of this report for Australia is this: Neither Tony Abbott nor coal is good for humanity."
The New South Wales Minerals Council argues the burgeoning middle class in countries like China and India will put continuing pressure on energy supplies.
The council's Stephen Galilee has told the ABC all energy sources, including coal and gas, are going to be needed to meet that demand.
He says innovation and technology will help the coal industry reduce its impact on the environment but Australia should not rush to cut energy from fossil fuels.
"Well, the idea that you'll be able to withdraw fossil fuels from the energy mix over a relatively short period of time is one that really deserves serious investigation, because it's going to cause significant social and economic dislocation, particularly when you consider that those two fuels alone are providing 60 to 80 per cent of the energy needs of the globe at the moment."
Mr Galilee says the industry is working with the Government to reduce the environmental impacts of fossil fuels, reduce emissions and continue to invest in clean technology.
The reports from the Intergovernmental Panel are aimed at guiding world leaders as the United Nations attempts to work out a new treaty to limit emissions.
Paris will host the next major international climate summit, scheduled to start on November the 30th, 2015.
Previous rounds of talks have been strained by disputes between the biggest emitters -- China, the United States and European countries.
