The scheme involves setting national emission targets for the three main greenhouse polluting gases- carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous-oxide.
But Mr Howard has told parliament, the proposal would hurt the resources industry, see jobs disappear and lead to even higher fuel prices.
“According to ABARE, a 50 percent cut in Australian emissions by 2050 would lead to a 10 percent fall in GDP, a 20 percent fall in real wages, a doubling of petrol prices and a staggering 600 percent rise in electricity and gas prices,” he told question time.