Bush's only big ally on warming shifts stand (PM John Howard)

Australia’s leader said Tuesday he wants to consider an international carbon trading system to fight global warming, signaling a shift toward a part of the Kyoto agreement that he has steadfastly refused to ratify.

Prime Minister John Howard, who has recently made global warming part of the mainstream debate in Australia after years of playing down the issue, said he would be willing to consider the trading system to limit greenhouse gas emissions — if it does not harm key resource-dependent industries.

“It’s in Australia’s national interest to play a part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but in a way that doesn’t damage our vital industries, such as the coal industry,” said Howard, a U.S. ally whose objections to the Kyoto agreement previously echoed those of President Bush.

Howard said he would raise the issue with leaders he meets in Hanoi, Vietnam, later this week at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, including Bush.

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