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OTTAWA - Canada's top CEOs announced Monday that they are creating a task force on climate change, but environmentalists are skeptical.

Thomas d'Aquino, president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, said the task force will be made up of 25 chief executives from businesses ranging from oil to major manufacturing.

He said major corporations want to make Canada a global leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting clean technologies, and fostering sustainable economic development.

"Climate change is a serious challenge for Canada and for the world,'' d'Aquino said in a news release.

"As the heads of major corporations across all sectors of our economy, we are committed to doing our part in shaping an effective strategy for national success and global leadership.''

But the Sierra Club of Canada noted that a third of the executives involved come from the fossil fuel industry and that the council has a history of opposition to government action against greenhouse emissions.

"This is a long-overdue initiative for industry to finally take seriously the economic and environmental threats posed by climate change,'' said Stephen Hazell, executive director of the environmental group.

"Industry must accept hard caps, not fake intensity-based caps, which would allow emissions to rise.''

D'Aquino will be co-chair of the task force, along with Richard Evans, president of Alcan Inc. (TSX:AL), and Richard George, president of Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU).

"Canadian businesses already have invested a great deal in making our operations and products more energy-efficient, developing new technologies to reduce emissions and costs, and shaping sustainable business models,'' Evans said.

"We realize that we can and must do more as a business community. However, this must be part of a broader, more integrated set of policies and efforts at both the federal and provincial levels that involve all Canadians.''

George of Suncor said businesses leaders have to act.

"For business to achieve its potential in contributing both to a national plan and a global solution, we need policies that keep businesses strong and competitive, enabling them to attract the capital and expertise they need to drive innovation and sustainable growth.''

D'Aquino said his group will also enlist an advisory group of experts, including: Daniel Esty, director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy; Mark Jaccard, a professor of environmental management at Simon Fraser University; David Runnalls, president of the International Institute for Sustainable Development; and Dan Gagnier, chair of the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

"We also will work closely with governments at all levels, draw on the expertise of sectoral business associations and engage other stakeholders with an interest in developing responsible solutions to Canada's climate change challenge,'' d'Aquino said.

Emilie Moorhouse, a Sierra Club campaigner, said she hopes the business initiative means a new commitment.

"The time has come for business leaders to recognize that taking action on climate change is the best choice for the economy and for Canadian businesses,'' she said.