OTTAWA (CP) - In a seismic shift for the business community, some of Canada's most influential corporate leaders have issued a call for stronger action to fight climate change beyond the Kyoto protocol.

In a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin obtained by The Canadian Press, the heads of such companies as Alcan, Shell Canada, Bombardier, Power Corp. and Business Depot, come out solidly in support of the controversial climate treaty.

"As corporate leaders representing a broad cross-section of the Canadian economy, we believe that all governments, corporations, consumers and citizens have responsibilities under the Kyoto Protocol," says the letter.

"The world must act urgently to stabilize the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and minimize the global impacts of climate change."

The corporate leaders say a strong response is required to the strengthening evidence in the scientific assessments of the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"We accept the IPCC consensus that climate change raises the risk of severe consequences for human health and security and the environment. We note that Canada is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change."

The comments could hardly signal a sharper contrast to the criticism and skepticism that have characterized business comment on the Kyoto treaty from the time that former prime minister Jean Chretien first announced Canadian ratification in 1997.

At the time, Thomas d'Aquino, president of the Business Council on National Issues, described Chretien's commitment as "unrealistic and void of any meaningful economic impact analysis."

Similar comments have continued to flow from many business groups, the Alberta government and the Conservative party, which continues to oppose the treaty.

In their letter to Martin, the CEOs say their companies are already working to reduce greenhouse emissions and to minimize the adverse impact of climate change, but need policy certainty to guide action for post-2012.

"We need a strategy now for the next 50 years, with short and medium-term targets to guide us. Governments must set clear markers along the way to unleash competitive market forces and allow the discovery of a long-term value for carbon emission reductions.

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