A long awaited draft report on climate change is due today, and conservationists are worried it might not go far enough.
Economist Ross Garnaut is responsible for advising the federal and state governments on what should be done about climate change.
As the greenhouse debate hots up, his report will recommend what national response to global warming is needed, with emissions trading to be the focus.
There's been heated discussion whether the emissions trading scheme will include petrol, and how households and industry should be compensated for higher prices.
Andrew McKellar from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries says petrol needs to be included, so motorists don't face additional costs or regulation.
“There’s been a lot of controversy about rising petrol prices and the fact that emissions trading may further increase petrol prices.
“I think from industry’s stand point, we believe that there needs to be a comprehensive response in place to reduce the impact of climate change and transport needs to be part of that plan.”
Professor Garnaut's interim report in February pleased green groups and angered some business sectors for recommending against free carbon permits for affected industries.
But Climate Institute chief executive John Connor says conservationists are now bracing for what they call Garnaut lite, the prospect the professor will put on emissions trading scheme training wheels for the first couple of years.
“What we want to see is policies that will turn around Australia’s still rising greenhouse pollution by 2012, and make sure Australia is competitive in the global clean energy and low carbon economy of the 21st century.”
