OECD wants Australia to lead on climate

(AAP) - Australia should be leading the way in fighting climate change and can influence other countries to join in, according to the head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Angel Gurria, who is in Melbourne for meetings, said Australia had a particular
responsibility to face up to climate change.
"Australia is also a very big exporter of raw materials including coal, and
therefore it has to set the example," he told ABC Television.
"Australia has a lot to contribute to this process so keep at it."
Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal which, when burned for energy,
releases carbon dioxide.
Mr Gurria noted Australia produced more carbon emissions than most other countries.
The OECD represents the 30 mostly wealthy nations who have embraced democracy and
the market economy. Members include Australia, the US, Japan and the UK.
Mr Gurria, the OECD's secretary-general, praised the federal government's proposed
emissions trading scheme, and said the world was watching.
He said Australia's efforts to reduce greenhouse pollution would "absolutely"
influence other nations to follow suit.
"Australia is already leading, it's an example, we're all looking at it."
Mr Gurria denied that moving to cut emissions would hurt Australia's big exporters.
He said a whole new industry of "green" businesses would spring up and there were
attractive "first mover opportunities" for the nations who embraced the concept of
reducing emissions.
Mr Gurria is in Melbourne for Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation group (APEC)
meetings dedicated to removing international market barriers.