The PM and state and territory leaders also agreed that four technology “road maps” would be developed with funding provided by the Commonwealth, NSW, Victorian and Queensland Governments.

The roadmaps will cover technologies such as hydrogen (Commonwealth, $405,000); geothermal (Commonwealth, $205,000); solar thermal (NSW, $50,000 and Victoria, $50,000); and coal gasification (Victoria, $50,000 and Queensland, $50,000).

There has been considerable lobbying around reporting of greenhouse emissions, with business split between supporting the inclusion of greenhouse in the National Pollutant Inventory and rejection of the measure due to its public disclosure. COAG said detailed design of the mandatory national emissions and energy reporting scheme would be established after the report from the PM’s Emission Trading Task Group.

Howard defended his rejection of the Labor leaders reduction target of 60% of 200 levels by 2050, and their call to establish a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. He said he would not act on a target or trading scheme until the group reported back in May.

The Commonwealth also promised to establish and manage the Australian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation, which will assist business and local government to develop climate change responses. It committed $26 million to establish the centre and a further $100 million to run it over five years.

The work will assist particularly affected sectors and regions, including planning bodies, businesses and councils to better understand the impacts of climate change and develop responses.

“The adaptation centre will be managed by the Commonwealth but will work closely with the states and related bodies to ensure a coordinated national approach as envisaged by the nation Adaptation Framework,” a COAG meeting summary stated.

The Commonwealth also separately announced a new CSIRO Adaptation Flagship with funding of $44 million to provide more accurate information on localised climate change.

“The new Australian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation will commission scientific work, including from the new Adaptation Flagship, to develop tangible responses to climate change,” the summary stated.