Minister for Climate Change, Senator Penny Wong, says action by households to reduce their carbon pollution is a key element of the Government's strategy.

"Through energy and fuel use, households contribute around 25 per cent of emissions covered by the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme," Senator Wong said.

"Individual action by households can help Australia to meet its emissions targets.

"The Government recognises that Australian households want to play their part in tackling climate change and is actively seeking to engage with the community to determine how to acknowledge genuine voluntary action.

"Voluntary actions to be taken into account may include increases in the uptake of energy efficient appliances, the construction or renovation of houses to a star-rating above the minimum required and the use of public transport.’"

A series of public consultation workshops will be held in capital cities around Australia this month to determine how voluntary action may be calculated and taken into account under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

The public consultation workshops will be held in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, during June.

Under the Government's plan GreenPower purchases above 2009 levels will be recognised when the caps are set under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

The Government has also announced an Energy Efficiency Savings Pledge Fund.

"Individuals can pledge their savings from energy efficiency measures to the Energy Efficiency Savings Pledge Fund, the Fund will then buy and cancel carbon pollution permits under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme," Senator Wong said.

* Further information on the workshops including dates and locations can be found at www.climatechange.gov.au