CANBERRA—Australia has the right technology to achieve deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions - but "clean coal" technology is a must, a report says.
Corporate climate change analysts Climate Risk produced the report, which examines industrial constraints to slashing emissions by 60 to 90 per cent by 2050.
It found sufficient low-emissions technologies and resources exist to meet the target, and the timeframe is realistic.
Carbon capture and storage technology - known as "clean coal" technology - was an essential part of making the target, it found.
The report, commissioned by WWF, found the Federal Government's Renewable Energy Target (RET) - 20 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020 - is needed along with emissions trading.
Critics, including the Productivity Commission, say the RET is not necessary given there will soon be a price on carbon under emissions trading.
But the report said RET would help manage the risk of one or more low-emission technologies failing.
WWF Australia Chief Executive Greg Bourne said the report showed Australia could struggle to cut emissions without the RET.
"There must be support for a broad range of technologies now and an effective RET can do this," Mr Bourne said.
