This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6716429.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Australia PM pledges climate plan Australia PM pledges climate plan
(30 minutes later)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced a shift in policy on climate change, promising to set up a carbon trading scheme to cut pollution.Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced a shift in policy on climate change, promising to set up a carbon trading scheme to cut pollution.
Mr Howard said he would set a target next year for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and also pledged to put in place a carbon trading scheme by 2012.Mr Howard said he would set a target next year for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and also pledged to put in place a carbon trading scheme by 2012.
Australia is one of the worst polluters per head of population in the world.Australia is one of the worst polluters per head of population in the world.
Despite his new plans, Mr Howard has warned that setting a cap on carbon emissions would hurt the economy.Despite his new plans, Mr Howard has warned that setting a cap on carbon emissions would hurt the economy.
His announcement comes ahead of a national election later this year. His announcement comes ahead of a national election later this year, in which Mr Howard will be seeking his fifth consecutive win.
If we get this wrong it will do enormous damage to the economy John HowardIf we get this wrong it will do enormous damage to the economy John Howard
"We will, as a nation, set a long-term aspirational goal for reducing carbon emissions. This target will be set next year, 2008," Mr Howard told an annual meeting of the governing Liberal Party. The opposition Labor party, which has a strong lead in the opinion polls, has portrayed the government as dithering and backward-looking on global warming, reports the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney.
"The scheme will be national in scope and as comprehensive as practicable, designed to take account of global developments and preserve the competitiveness of our trade-exposed, emissions-intensive industries." Labor has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050. Mr Howard does not plan to reveal his targets until next year, once the economic costs of carbon trading have been fully studied.
Australia and the US are the only major industrialised nations not to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. "Implementing an emissions trading scheme and setting a long-term goal for reducing emissions will be the most momentous economic decision Australia will take in the next decade," Mr Howard told an annual meeting of his Liberal Party.
'Better scheme'
"Implementing an emissions trading scheme and setting a long-term goal for reducing emissions will be the most momentous economic decision Australia will take in the next decade," Mr Howard said.
"If we get this wrong it will do enormous damage to the economy, to jobs and to the economic well-being of ordinary Australians, especially low-income households.""If we get this wrong it will do enormous damage to the economy, to jobs and to the economic well-being of ordinary Australians, especially low-income households."
'Better scheme'
Australia and the US are the only major industrialised nations not to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Australian farmers have seen record droughts this yearMr Howard promised that Australia's carbon trading scheme would be better than those in place in Europe.Australian farmers have seen record droughts this yearMr Howard promised that Australia's carbon trading scheme would be better than those in place in Europe.
Critics have accused Mr Howard of lacking vision and of refusing to make tough environmental decisions ahead of the election.
The opposition Labor party, which is currently leading the opinion polls, said voters had a right to know what Australia's targets would be before they cast their ballot.
Labor has pledged to cut emissions by 60% by 2050.
Environmentalists have described Mr Howard's approach to climate change as lacking credibility and have insisted he take far more decisive action.
Australia has recently seen record drought conditions, which have harmed economic growth and caused widespread despair among the farming community.Australia has recently seen record drought conditions, which have harmed economic growth and caused widespread despair among the farming community.
Residents have been ordered to cut back on consumption and farm production has plummeted.
Some experts believe that these parched conditions are the result of the world's hunger for fossil fuels, while others though see it as part of a natural cycle.
Whatever the arguments, many Australians want their leaders to be far more proactive when it comes to the environment, our correspondent says.