ACTU president Sharan Burrow this week expressed concern that a survey had shown that a high level of ignorance about the climate change issue existed among employers.

"If the politicians pass the carbon pollution reduction scheme and the renewable energy target then we can get on with creating the one million jobs in the clean energy economy that we know are possible," she said.

"Instead of complaining about extra red tape, employers should be supporting action on climate change and positioning themselves to get a share of the jobs that are set to eventuate in the global market in new, clean energy technologies, products and services."

The ACTU called on federal politicians to vote for an emissions trading scheme and implement renewable energy targets because both initiatives would be a significant boost for employment.