Australia delayed plans to trade carbon-dioxide emissions by a year to 2011, blaming the economy, while remaining open to reducing greenhouse gases under an international agreement.

The decision was made amid signs the proposal will detract from growth as the nation's economy heads into its first recession for 17 years.

"These are very difficult circumstances for the global economy," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters in Canberra. "The government will introduce legislation through the Senate; our objective is to provide business certainty for the future as this effects the wider economy long term."