South Australian independent Senator Nick Xenophon is plugging a range of changes to the Abbott government’s direct action policy, which researchers say may actually help it meet its emissions reduction target.

An outside review by RepuTex says Xenophon’s ideas for direct action could see the Government reach Australia's targeted five per cent emissions reduction by 2020.

In fact, the study says the emissions reductions the scheme could achieve by 2020 would more than double, but will require a significant shift in stance from the LNP government

Senator Xenophon wants the government to reverse its position on climate policy measures such as the purchase of international permits to fill the shortfall in emissions reductions.

It is a measure that Prime Minister Tony Abbott has stood ardently against.

The research suggests that the government could increase its carbon abatement from 67 million tonnes to 183 million tonnes by imposing tougher emissions baselines and penalties from July next year.

But Xenophon's proposal would only be possible if the government spent it entire allocated funding for emissions reduction by 2020, rather than 2024 as is currently planned.

The changes would see longer contract periods for companies with abatement contracts and allow for the limited purchase of international permits, to make clear that the intention of the fund is to meet an international target.

With just a few weeks left to define a new position on the RET, Mr Abbott, Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane have spruiked the ‘benefits’ of direct action in a series of talks about the target over the weekend.

Senator Xenophon will not support direct action without significant amendments, without which he says it would be impossible to meet Australia's international obligation to cut carbon emissions.

Numerous studies have shown that the $2.55 billion emissions reduction fund at the centre of the LNP’s clean energy strategy will not even achieve a fifth of the 421 million tonne reduction in carbon emissions the government must achieve by 2020.

Government insiders have told media outlets that a final position on direct action and the RET is expected in four to six weeks.