That's the view of Sutherland Climate Action Network co-ordinator Jonathan Doig.

``Climate change was one of the top issues on voters' minds and one of the clearest points of difference between the major parties,'' Mr Doig said.

He cited a poll undertaken by the Australian Research Group on the eve of the federal election, which showed that 73 per cent of voters in marginal electorates saw climate change as having a ``strong influence'' on their vote.

``Climate change may have actually been the deciding factor that allowed Labor to win government, because 21 of the 24 new Labor seats were won on the Greens' preferences,'' Mr Doig said.

The Greens performed reasonably well in St George and Sutherland Shire. At the latest count, the party attracted 5.3 per cent of the vote in Hughes, 5.4 per cent in Banks, 6per cent in Cook, 6.5 per cent in Watson and 8.2 per cent in Barton, with preferences directed to Labor.

One of Mr Rudd's major promises in the lead-up to the election was to ratify the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible, which Mr Doig said had practical and symbolic importance.

``Rudd needs to ratify Kyoto immediately to strengthen his negotiating position at [the international climate change conference at] Bali next month,'' Mr Doig said.

The Australian Conservation Foundation made a similar call in the days following the November 24 election. Executive director of the foundation, Don Henry, said the Labor Government had received a ``clear mandate to take decisive action'' on climate change.

``This is probably the first time that climate change has been such a pivotal national election issue anywhere in the world,'' Mr Henry said. ``We would also urge the Coalition to give bipartisan support to Kyoto ratification. It is time for Australia to become a leader and not a laggard on this crucial issue.''

Mr Rudd announced at a press conference on Monday that the wheels of signing Kyoto had been set in motion.