Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Howes will make a submission to the Coalition's Pearce Review into the Government's proposed trading system, even though it was an unusual step and ''some people will raise eyebrows''.

''Our members expect us to build the broadest possible support for a job-saving [carbon pollution reduction scheme],'' he said yesterday.

Mr Howes said the union had offered to work with the Government and Opposition to find ways to develop early bipartisan agreement on the scheme. It did not want to see roadblocks to the implementation of the scheme as this could mean job losses.

Mr Ferguson, addressing the union's national conference in Brisbane last night, said the union was standing up for its members and their industries.

''There is no doubt a sensible bipartisan policy on this important issue will be in the best interests of Australian workers, Australian industry and Australian households,'' he said.

''[The AWU] has a responsibility to help ensure those industries are internationally competitive, safe, and environmentally sustainable; that they make the most of Australia's advantages and ... continue to unlock wealth for the nation.''

Mr Howes said adopting emissions reduction targets as high as those recommended by the Greens would give other countries incentives to attract Australia's valuable industries at the expense both of the economy and the global environment.

''It is indulgent and counter-productive to expect any government, in any country but particularly in a country like Australia, which is dependent upon energy intensive industries for investment, jobs and exports to stand by and support policies which will see these activities which pay our bills simply cease or relocate offshore,'' he said.

''The EU has not, the USA will not and Australia should not.''

The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, will speak at the conference today. with AAP