The Australian Coalition party has proposed amendments to the embattled emissions trading scheme shielding big polluters, excluding methane emissions from coal mines and banning agriculture’s inclusion in any trading scheme.

The suggested changes would give some $10 billion in compensation to coal-fired electricity generators. The Coalition is also suggesting the use of an “intensity” approach for electricity generators, which would mean they would have to buy less carbon permits than the Government’s scheme.

Coal-fired electricity makes up about 44 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is currently expected to receive $3.9 billion in compensation over five years from the Government’s trading scheme plans.