The Conservation Voters of B.C. are urging people to vote for "Anyone but Carole" in the Vancouver Island riding of NDP Leader Carole James.

In their "ABC" campaign, the non-partisan group says they do not endorse James for re-election in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding because of her wish to dump the controversial carbon tax.

"We believe the party needs new leadership and new voices that take a more urgent, principled and collaborative approach to meeting the challenges of climate change," spokesperson Will Horter said.

The announcement was made Thursday during the group's first round of endorsements for the upcoming provincial election.

The Conservation voters have only endorsed four candidates: Environment Minister Barry Penner, NDP members Lana Popham and Gary Holman and the Greens' Damian Kettlewell.

James is sticking to her decision to scrap the carbon tax if her party takes office.

"I've had this discussion with environmentalists. Some of the groups who've come out strongly around the carbon tax, I've agreed to disagree with them on carbon tax," she told reporters after a leader's debate at CKNW radio on Thursday.

The NDP party has endured a firestorm of criticism from environmentalists since the beginning of the election campaign -- an unusual turn for a party that is normally supported by green thinkers.

On Saturday David Suzuki said the NDP stance on axing the tax would poison other jurisdictions against making the move.

"If [Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell] goes down because of the axe the tax, the repercussions are that the carbon tax will be toxic for future politicians," he said.

"No politician will raise it. That's why environmentalists are so upset."

On April 17, longtime NDP supporter and environmental activist Tzeporah Berman gave up her membership and support for the party, saying the carbon tax policy is an attempt to "confuse the public" for political gain.

A brief history

The Liberal government introduced the first North American carbon tax last year. It taxes almost all fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel and home-heating fuel. The tax rate will rise over the next four years.

The NDP says that the tax should be replaced by a cap-and-trade system, which would cap the amount of pollutants companies can emit before they must purchase credits from those who pollute less.

Last week, an independent federal advisory panel, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, suggested that Ottawa and the provinces should adopt the cap-and-trade system, saying it is the most efficient and least costly means of controlling greenhouse gas emissions.