Federal cabinet meets today to sign off on the Government's climate change policy for the imminent election.

Yesterday, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a survey showing 75 per cent of business owners want action on energy costs. But they do not want to see either an emissions trading scheme (ETS) or carbon taxes in Australia until an international consensus can be found on climate change.

Chief executive Peter Anderson said business tax incentives should take precedence over ''heavy-handed'' approaches to address the issue.

''In the absence of a global consensus where other countries carry their fair share, the Australian Government should look to policies which are measured, practical and more carrot than stick,'' he said.

''The recent change in Australian political leadership did not change the fact that the Copenhagen conference failed to reach a global consensus.

''The Australian Government must adapt policy to this reality.''

The national survey of more than 1000 businesses found that current support for an ETS was down to one in four.

It also showed that business owners regarded energy costs to be their most significant infrastructure concern.

The survey came as the Climate Institute released a paper suggesting that uncertainty over the introduction of a price on carbon could cost Australians $2billion a year in higher electricity prices by 2020. The research found that a decision to delay an ETS would add $60 a year to the average household bill.

Another poll, commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation, showed that 45 per cent of voters would be more likely to vote Labor if it promised to deliver an ETS sometime over the next year.

Ms Gillard has already stated she would be sticking to her predecessor Kevin Rudd's plan to revisit emissions trading in 2012 with a scheme not set to kick in until 2013 at the earliest.

She has also ruled out placing a price on carbon in any other form.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times