It’s probably time for the right wing opposition party to back off. For opposition Leader Tony Abbott, it is time to review his hard-line stance against the carbon tax. The Liberal Party missed the opportunity to score in this significant issue on Australia’s clean energy future. Abbott’s ‘direct action’ missed the international climate agenda.

The carbon tax debate has been one of this year’s political highlights. It had pushed Julia Gillard’s Government to the brink of collapse – but thanks to left wing and pro-environment coalition, backed primarily by the Australian Greens, the carbon tax has triumphed against all odds in both legislative houses.

The climate change conference 2011 in Durban, South Africa

The timing is perfect. Following passage of Australia’s Clean Energy Future in early November, the Climate Change Conference kicked off in Durban, November 28-December 9.

Monitoring the conference, the Climate Action Tracker has given Australia a high mark for creating the framework for strong action. The tracker has assessed Australia across all sectors, including industry, electricity, buildings, transport, forestry and agriculture.

Australia got an A on the renewable energy sector due mainly to the Government’s goal of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

However, the report also indicates that while Australia has a good grade on overall strategy there is more that needs to be done. One area to be addressed is the transport industry where emission standards for light and heavy vehicles have yet to be implemented. Another area is the industry sector where policies related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions were virtually non-existent in the past.

The carbon tax covers non-CO₂ industry emissions, such as the fugitive emissions from the mining sector. In Australia’s case, this is key, given the country’s massive mining boom. But while it would stabilise emissions from mining, it wouldn’t reduce them in absolute terms. Without these measures the emissions from the mining sector are due to rise 97% by 2020 from 2000 levels.

Bill Hare, a visiting scientist at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, notes that “Australia’s new climate legislation is a historic breakthrough reform for the nation “ adding that it is one of the biggest reforms over the past three decades.

Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne also takes pride in the Greens’ achievement while acknowledging there is room for improvement.

PM Julia Gillard and Minister Greg Combet visiting a mine site

Greg Combet, the Government’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, noted that the Durban Conference is a stepping stone for Australia in building a comprehensive climate change regime.

He admitted that all major multilateral agreements will take time as Australia has taken many years to legislate a climate change plan.

“Durban will be one stepping-stone along the path, a place where we can make further useful progress towards this goal,” he said.