Fed: Big business sides with govt on greenhouse issue

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Fed: Big business sides with govt on greenhouse issue

By Linda McSweeny

CANBERRA, Aug 21 AAP - Big business today endorsed the federal government's greenhousegas abatement programs ahead of a crucial weekend world earth summit in Johannesburg.

A comprehensive group of business and industry groups joined the government in announcingit was mapping a way forward for delivering long-term solutions.

In May next year, industry will deliver a report to government on its view about howto achieve emission cuts.

The minerals industry went one step further, saying Australia's coal-fired power stationscould operate without emitting greenhouse gas emissions within a decade.

The announcements followed the completion of inaugural talks in Canberra today betweengovernment and business on climate change.

It comes as the government prepares to take a high-level delegation to the United Nations-sponsoredWorld Summit on Sustainable Development, where it will face pressure to ratify the KyotoProtocol.

Australian Aluminium Council executive director Ron Knapp said industry was doing itsbit and was moving beyond Kyoto targets.

"We are very much pleased with the approach the government has now taken, the establishmentof a dialogue," he told reporters.

"Of critical importance is we are now starting to talk about the long term."

Minerals Council of Australia spokesman Brian Horwood said coal-fired power stations,some of the biggest greenhouse polluters, could have zero emissions in a decade.

"We believe that in 10 years you can build coal-fired power stations and have zeroemissions of greenhouse gases and that would be fantastic for Australian industry," hesaid.

"It would be fantastic for overseas, to buy coal, because coal is our biggest export earner."

Government and industry was working together to really reduce emissions, he said.

"Today's meeting gives us a chance to meet our targets and commitments without destroyingAustralia's industry and without letting industry transfer offshore," he said.

"We need certainty now to make those big investments in the future.

"Today I think was a tremendous breakthrough for us and for government."

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said zero emission coal production would open up hugepotential for Australia.

"That will open up huge potential for us both as a producer of low cost electricityand attracting energy intensive industries here but also in terms of our exports," hesaid.

Environment Minister David Kemp said industry was prepared to make a strong contributionto cut emissions.

AAP lm/daw/cjh/br n

KEYWORD: GREENHOUSE