MELBOURNE, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Australian state governments could band together to achieve a clean energy target without federal leadership on the issue, Victoria's environment minister said on Thursday.
Lily D'Ambrosio, Victoria's Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, said that if Australia's federal government, led by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, did not determine its position on clean energy soon, "willing" states could implement their own target.
"The willing states are looking at the real prospect of potentially having to go it alone," D'Ambrosio told Australian media on Thursday.
D'Ambrosio's comments came before a meeting of the nation's energy ministers on Friday at which the clean energy target is set to be a priority.
A review by Australia's chief scientist, Alan Finkel, released in June recommended that the government introduce a clean energy target post-2020 to stimulate investment in clean energy generation.
Turnbull has not yet announced whether he will adopt Finkel's recommendation, causing angst among the state governments.
"This is not the first time the states have had to lead the way," D'Ambrosio said.
"In two and a half years' time, we will no longer have the federal renewable energy target.
"Investors, industry, businesses are now desperately seeking a policy steer on what happens post 2020.
"They need policy certainty and clarity."
Josh Frydenberg, the Federal Environment and Energy Minister, said in July that the target would not be resolved at the Coalition of Australian Governments meeting on Friday.
He said that he would listen to the states' viewpoint but would not be rushed to a decision.
