ets scheme put on back burner

ABC Online....
The Federal Government is today expected to announce that it is delaying the introduction of its emissions trading scheme by a year.

The ABC understands that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is about to announce that the scheme will be delayed until 2011, while the range of proposed cuts will be increased to 5 to 25 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020.

The ABC also understands that the scheme will be changed to ensure that efforts made by households to reduce emissions will be factored in.

The scheme had been criticised for not taking household reductions into account, with some arguing any cuts by individuals would merely allow heavy polluters more leeway.

The Government is also understood to be considering other changes, including a lower cap on the price of carbon.

But it is not clear if the changes will be enough to win the Senate votes needed to have the scheme passed.

The Government had promised to have its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme begin next year and was due to introduce legislation into Parliament in June.

It was also committed to cutting emissions by 5 to 15 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020.

The Federal Opposition and some sectors of industry have been calling for the scheme to be delayed for at least a year.

The Greens have also been unhappy with the scheme, saying the emissions reduction target is far too low.

Dave R.