Emissions won't 'specifically' hit target

Australia will reach its 2020 emissions reduction target of minus five per cent but the department admits pollution won't be cut.

The environment department admits Australia won't "specifically" slash carbon emissions out to 2020, despite technically achieving the reduction target of five per cent.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt last year declared Australia had met its 2020 emissions reduction target of five per cent on 2000 levels, however a recent Reputex report showed CO2 pollution would grow over the next five years.

The department's Beth Brunoro admits there will be emissions growth to 2020 but accounting measures, including using carry over emissions, mean the target could be met even though domestic CO2 pollution "won't be at minus five per cent specifically".