PM signals new Greenhouse Agenda

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."

Mr Howard says both he and Mr Costello agree on that issue.

"We said two-and-a-half years ago in the energy white paper that we would be willing to be part of any international emissions trading scheme providing the whole world was involved and I repeated that in Parliament a few weeks ago," he said.

Mr Howard wants to use the APEC meeting later this week to pursue the issues of climate change and energy security.

"APEC is the ideal forum to discuss these matters," he said.

Mr Howard says he will talk about climate change with the leaders of energy-hungry nations like China and Japan.