Fed: Howard edges toward pricing carbon

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2007
Fed: Howard edges toward pricing carbon

Australia is a step closer to a national carbon emissions trading scheme with the Prime
Minister tacitly endorsing the setting of greenhouse gas targets.

JOHN HOWARD's shuffle toward a trading scheme comes after years of mounting scientific
research .. and increasing voter concern about rising sea levels .. drought and cyclones
cause by climate change.

State Labor governments yesterday applied the political blowtorch to the PM .. decrying
his lack of action on climate change.

The premiers and chief ministers have threatened to go it alone on emissions trading
if Canberra fails to develop a scheme.

Today .. Mr HOWARD offered his most explicit support yet for such a scheme .. telling
News Limited any federal trading scheme will be credible .. but cautious.





But there is still great disagreement within government ranks on how to or even if
to introduce an emissions trading scheme.

Treasurer PETER COSTELLO today accused anyone who put the environment ahead of the
economy of zealotry.

AAP RTV pv/wz

KEYWORD: CLIMATE (CANBERRA)

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