Coalition’s climate policy 'best and most efficient' in the world, says Greg Hunt

Despite criticism from business groups and leading analysts, environment minister insists Direct Action policy will reduce emissions and electricity prices

Greg Hunt has insisted the Coalition's Direct Action plan is the "best and most efficient" climate policy in the world, as China, the world's biggest carbon polluter, confirms it will begin a national emissions trading scheme in 2017.

Business groups and leading analysts say Direct Action cannot meet Australia's new promise to reduce emissions by between 26% and 28% of 2005 levels by 2030 without significant changes, but Hunt insisted it would easily do so and reduce electricity prices at the same time.