New figures released today will deepen Australia's embarrassment at the UN Climate Summit, confirming the Abbott government has proudly dismantled a policy that was working to bring down pollution.

The latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory report shows nationwide emissions fell 1.1 per cent in the year to March 2014, smashing the previous record of -0.8 per cent, set in the year to December 2013.

"Under the carbon price that Tony Abbott repealed, Australia's emissions were falling faster and faster," says Greens Leader Christine Milne.

The Australian Greens say the repeal of the price on pollution will be remembered as a monumental blunder in an era of dangerous climate change and a massive blow to Australian innovation, jobs and families. The Greens will now lead a campaign to restore genuine action on global warming.

"This is a tragic day for Australia and the planet but the Greens will lead the campaign to make the big polluters pay for global warming," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

Questioning by the Australian Greens during Senate debate today has confirmed the Abbott government cannot guarantee families will be financially better off without a price on pollution.

"Not only will households have to deal with global warming, but the $550 they now think they're getting? Forget it. It's a mirage," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"In the Senate today, Finance Minister Cormann couldn't answer even the most basic questions about what the legislation will do. Either he doesn't know or he doesn't care.

As the Abbott Government makes its third attempt to repeal the carbon price, a new report has found South Australia faces a water crisis due to human-induced climate change.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright says Prime Minister Abbott's stubborn ignorance on climate science was a betrayal of South Australians.

"While Tony Abbott goes for short-term political gain by scrapping a price on pollution, South Australia will pay dearly," Senator Wright said.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Australian people have seen today how the Abbott government will crash in its attempts to manipulate the Senate on carbon pricing and its destructive budget.

"The only thing that is clear today is that the Prime Minister has failed. This is government by incompetence. Deals in back rooms designed to stitch up the Senate have come unstuck. Tony Abbott is a crash or crash through Prime Minister, and today he crashed," said Senator Milne.

The Australian Greens say communities will lose out now, and in the future, if the Abbott government totally abandons the carbon price and mining tax.

"Tony Abbott will go down in history as the Prime Minister for the big end of town. He's shamelessly making life harder for everyday Australians to boost the profits of the big miners and big polluters," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.