carbon trading

John Howard promised not to "sacrifice" the jobs of coalminers with knee-jerk environmental policies as he sharpened his attack on Labor's climate change policies.

Signalling an election-year campaign to woo voters in coal-based electorates, the Prime Minister called for a "measured and sensible" approach to climate change.

But with Kevin Rudd determined to portray his rival as out of touch on the issue, Labor intensified its call for immediate action to reduce damaging greenhouse gas emissions.

The parliamentary brawl came as the Prime Minister's emissions trading taskforce floated the idea of businesses operating under a "single trading scheme" worldwide withthe release of its issues paper.

Australia is a major energy powerPrime Minister Howard plans to pursue his global warming agenda when leaders from Asia Pacific countries meet this week in Hanoi.

He has vowed that Australia won't give up its competitive advantage with the use of fossil fuels, and instead will pursue new technology to address global warming.

"No country, developed or developing, will agree to climate change measures which imperil its energy security," he said.

"Much of the Kyoto framework reflects a European mindset. Europe's contribution is important, but it is crucial that our own region's perspective be reflected in any climate change discussions and decisions.

But in a conflicting statement, Treasurer Peter Costello has declared carbon trading an inevitable tool in fighting global warming, but says it will be years before Australia needs to consider such a scheme.

"It's a long-term thing," he said. “We're now looking at the post-Kyoto world, which is next decade, and I think that's where we ought to be focusing technological improvement and much broader global responses."