And any headache for the federal government is likely to be a hip-ache for motorists.

The ETS to be introduced in 2010 will come with a three-year holiday for retail fuels because the Government plans to cut its present 38 cent a litre excise to compensate for the oil companies who will have to buy emissions trading permits.

The problem will arise when the various oil companies have their own strategy to manage their emissions and to justify buying the trading permits from the government.

Confused? So is the industry and, one suspects, the Government . . . and even more so the hapless motorist.

The oil companies have begun to lobby for schemes particular to their industry. (Other industry sectors are certain to do likewise as they work their way through the effects of the scheme.)

There seems one certainty in what is otherwise a highly confused strategy to tackle greenhouse gas.

No one doubts that saving the planet might come at a cost to consumers but what must be avoided are the wild surges in fuel prices such as we have had over the past year and which have been a major contributor to a borderline global economic recession.

Our vast country and relatively sparse population make us among the most vulnerable when these surges occur because we are so fuel dependent for transport.

Motorists and the broader public need to have confidence in whatever scheme is introduced and not just feel it is another cynical exercise in reaching into their pockets.

And there is less than two years to raise the understanding to that level.