New RET akin to dead koala certificates

The inclusion of wood-waste burning as a renewable energy source is akin to printing dead koala certificates, Greens deputy leader Larissa Waters says.

The renewable energy target has been lowered from 41,000 gigawatt hours to 33,000Gwh after a Senate vote on Tuesday, but Labor and the Greens were unable to prevent wood waste being included as a source after the government negotiated a deal with crossbench senators.

Independent Nick Xenophon defended the decision but told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday he didn't want koalas killed and there ought to be appropriate habitat protection.