From the scheme's green paper summary, here is why: "The Government does not consider that it is practical at this stage to include agriculture emissions in the trading scheme at commencement. However, for the reasons noted above, it is desirable to have maximal coverage. While the Government is disposed to eventually include agriculture, it recognises that considerable consultation and joint effort with the industry are still required to identify practical methods for inclusion, and to develop reliable and cost-effective methods of emissions estimation and reporting."

Although it is the second greatest generator of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, farming will not register on the scheme's radar before 2015, allowing those on the land more time to understand and prepare for the scheme.

For households the exact impact of the scheme is largely unknown. The green paper summary says the impact will be "modest" and that relatively greenhouse gas intensive products will be relatively more expensive.

But the estimated price increase of 16 per cent for electricity and nine per cent for gas will certainly create some discomfort for households.

Sensing the possibility of a political hit, the Rudd Government has softened the blow for motorists by giving a cent-for-cent trade on the existing excise.

While this is said to cost the Federal Treasury about $1 billion what is less clear is how much of a windfall the Federal Government will have reaped with the GST added to a bloated retail price over recent months.

Labor has pledged to assist the community and business through the change to a less carbon-producing economy.

And what about the big picture - will it work, will the nation's carbon emissions be reduced under this scheme?

The Federal Government does not appear to be acting with the sense of urgency called for in the Garnaut Report.

And for the coal-fired electricity industry, the biggest greenhouse gas emitter, there will be government assistance.

Certainly the green paper is a tentative step towards reducing Australia's carbon emissions.