By Dominic Giannini in Canberra

INDEPENDENT ACT senator David Pocock says any changes to climate legislation will need to genuinely reduce emissions in order to secure his vote.

The key crossbencher will continue consultations on the government’s proposed changes to the safeguard mechanism, which would lower the emissions cap for big polluters.

Senator Pocock will hold two roundtables on Monday as he continues to negotiate with the government on passing three key pieces of legislation.

The government needs the support of the Greens and two other crossbenchers to pass the mechanism, its housing fund and its manufacturing fund.

Pocock says he will continue to work constructively to get the best outcome from each proposal.

“I am engaging constructively with ministers and fellow crossbenchers on all three,” he said.

The Greens have raised concerns that the changes to the safeguard mechanism won’t stop large polluters, who can buy carbon credits to offset emissions.
Leader Adam Bandt called the offset “a Ponzi scheme”.

But he’s offering the Green’s support on the condition of a ban on any new coal and gas projects.

“It’s an offer that says, we will put aside our very real concerns with the Ponzi scheme elements of this plan where everything gets offset,” he told the ABC’s “Insiders” program on Sunday.

“We will vote for it in full if you do one thing: Stop making the problem worse. Stop opening new coal and gas projects.”

Mr Bandt flagged enshrining a climate trigger into law so the environmental impact of new proposals would have to be assessed.

Senator Pocock says he wants to ensure any changes to the safeguard mechanism actually work.

“I’m focusing on ensuring the safeguard mechanism actually reduces emissions,” he said.