Coal subsidies far outweigh funding for renewables: Greenpeace

By Sarah Clarke
Greenpeace has accused the Federal Government of spending billions of dollars on the coal industry and failing to subsidise cleaner energy sources.
A new report reveals there is a disparity in funding from Government subsidies.
The study commissioned by Greenpeace found in an average year, the Government subsidises coal, oil and gas companies to the tune of about $9 billion.
But renewable industries like solar and wind received $330 million.
Report author Chris Reidy says he is surprised by the disparity.
"There's just very little support going to renewable energy," he said.
Ric Brazzale, from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, says it is an unfair playing field.
"[It] disadvantages renewable power generators," he said.
But Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane says solar and wind power have had their fair share.
"When you consider the percentage of energy produced by renewables, they're doing particularly well," he said.
But Greenpeace says the Federal Government is not doing enough to combat climate change.
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