AGL Energy Ltd chief executive Michael Fraser said on Friday that paying attention on carbon emission is a must in order to secure Australia's energy future and since the country leans much on resource and energy intensive economic activities, business and political leaders need to closely consider the impact of climate change.

Mr Fraser warned that ignoring the pressing issue of environmental concerns could leave the country lagging behind on developments of global energy consumption patterns as he stressed that "it's almost inevitable climate change and energy security will drive a reduction in the consumption of high emission energy sources globally."

Speaking before the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon held in Sydney, Mr Fraser said that we can ill-afford to assume that world of today would be the same one in the years ahead.

He also underscored the fact that "any change to the energy sources the world consumes will have a significant impact on our economy, both from an export perspective and from a domestic consumption perspective."

The AGL chief said that a broad-based control and trade emissions trading scheme is the best available means of bringing about reasonable cost solutions for slashing carbon emissions as he added that the sustained worldwide demand for Australia's energy resources must hinge on the availability of lower carbon intensive products.

Mr Fraser urged the federal government to muster considerable community consensus in order that the planned cap on carbon emissions could finally see implementation.