States may go it alone on ETS: Bligh

Queensland will rally the states to create their own emissions trading scheme (ETS) if a national scheme does not transpire, Premier Anna Bligh says.

The federal government will make a third attempt at getting Senate approval for its ETS when parliament resumes in February.

Ms Bligh said it was disappointing the legislation had again been rejected on Wednesday.

"I'm not going to give up on the idea that Australia will have a national emissions trading scheme," she told reporters in Brisbane.

"It is theoretically possible for Queensland to go it alone. But frankly it would be a very poor trading market and unlikely to make any real difference."

Ms Bligh said she hadn't yet talked to other states about the possibility of a state-based scheme but would do so if the ETS did not succeed next year.

"If we see a continued failure at a national level it may be possible for a number of states to join together and develop a scheme that will contribute to Australia's battle against climate change," she said.

"It's a sad day for this country. The failure of the federal parliament to adopt a scheme that would have seen us combat climate change is a blow for our environment and for our place in the world debate."