In a video message found on the Prime Minister's website on Tuesday, John Howard has announced the Federal Government emission policy with increase funding on measures design to tackle global warming.
Mr Howard has announced the federal government will spend $627 million to tackle global warming, including $336 million in the form of 'green vouchers' given to school.
The green vouchers enable schools across Australia to use it to improve energy and water efficiency. In addition, the school can have funding of $50,000 to install solar hot water systems and rainwater tanks.
In growing signs that nuclear power will play a big part in the government climate change policy, the Prime Minister has also stated that $12.5 million would be spent on a nuclear research collaborative program conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology organisation (ANSTO) and the local universities.
Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the new carbon emissions trading scheme would be comprehensive with 55 percent coverage of the total emission in Australia.
Although the Business Roundtable on Climate Change applauded the new policy, they said it was difficult for them to plan without knowing what the targets are, which the government plans to announce later in 2008.