Emissions trading scheme unveiled within weeks

The Rudd government will reveal the final design of its emissions trading scheme, along with a medium-term target range for reductions, within weeks.

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) white paper will be released on Monday 15 December.

"The global financial situation has heightened the importance of providing business certainty on the scheme," Wong said in a statement.

The final design will be revealed after Senator Wong has attended the United Nations' annual greenhouse summit in Poland, which started this week.

Draft laws will be released in early 2009.

According to Wong, the white paper will include a "medium-term target range for reducing carbon pollution".

The government would take account of international developments in determining the path Australia takes to reduce carbon pollution, she said.