Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has hinted at a whole new approach to climate change - a greener ETS, passed sooner than planned.

The federal government has officially delayed its ETS until at least 2013 after failing to convince the Liberals to pass it.

But Mr Rudd changed tack during a media conference with a well-known advocate for action on climate change today.

He opened the door to passing an ETS after this year's election, and with the help of the Australian Greens, not the Liberals.

A recent poll shows Labor is losing votes to the Greens, who have soared to a record level of support.