Australia introduces carbon emission limits

Australia has committed to improving its air quality by aiming to set carbon emission limits, should other nations also agree to introduce a blanket initiative to reduce pollution, it has been revealed.

Prime minister Kevin Rudd's administration has set a target of reducing Australia's carbon emissions to 25 per cent lower than 2000 levels by 2020.

However, the measures hang on whether the rest of the world will follow suit - something which will be determined at an international meeting on the subject, to be held in Copenhagen this December.

Australia would achieve its air quality improvement goals by investing in renewable and clean energies, carbon capture and storage and purchasing international credits.

In March, the Australian government announced that it would contribute AU$32 million (£14.6 million) to the most comprehensive research into soil carbon and nitrous oxide ever conducted in the country.