Australia, one of the world's highest per capita emitters of pollutants blamed for causing climate change, imposed a fixed A$23 ($23.88) per ton carbon tax on around 300 of its biggest polluting companies in July, covering around 60 percent of emissions.
The A$15 floor price was due to underpin the scheme when it moved to a floating emissions trading scheme in July 2015.
The cut to the floor price is the first major change to Australia's controversial plan to price carbon following concerns from businesses facing higher costs than in Europe.
"Linking the Australian and European Union systems reaffirms that carbon markets are the prime vehicle for tackling climate change and the most efficient means of achieving emissions reductions," Combet said in a joint statement with European Commission for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard.
The move means business in Australia will be able to use EU allowances to cover Australian liabilities from July 2015 but European companies will have to wait until 2018 to use Australian allowances.
Combet said business had made it clear they wanted more flexibility on the carbon price once Australia moves to a trading scheme.
"At the end of the day, I think this is the best public policy outcome," Combet told reporters, adding Australia was continuing negotiations on linking its scheme with New Zealand's emissions trading scheme. Read the full report here.
Source: by James Grubel, Canberra, Reuters.
