Garnaut Climate Change Review

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The Garnaut Climate Change Review is an independent study by Professor Ross Garnaut, commissioned by Australia's State and Territory Governments on 30 April 2007. After his election on 24 November 2007 Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has confirmed the participation of the Commonwealth Government in the Review.

The Review will examine the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy, and recommend medium to long-term policies and policy frameworks to improve the prospects for sustainable prosperity. Some observers have remarked that the Garnaut Review will be Australia's version of the Stern Review.^[1]

The Review's final report is due on 30 September 2008, with a draft by 30 June 2008. A number of forums will also be held around Australia to engage the public on various issues relating to the Review.

The Secretariat to support the Review is based in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.

1 Interim report 21 February 2008
- 1.1 Forestry and deforestation
2 Notes and references
3 External links

[edit] Interim report 21 February 2008

The interim report of the Garnaut Review was released on 21 February 2008.

The executive summary states:

"Adaptation to climate change, energy efficiency and the distribution of the costs of climate change across households and regions are not considered in any detail in the report, but will be addressed in the final report."

"Australia’s interest lies in the world adopting a strong and effective position on climate change mitigation. This interest is driven by two realities of Australia’s position relative to other developed countries: our exceptional sensitivity to climate change: and our exceptional opportunity to do well in a world of effective global mitigation. Australia playing its full part in international efforts on climate change can have a positive effect on global outcomes. The direct effects of Australia’s emissions reduction efforts are of secondary importance."

Interim Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction targets for 2020 to be set in 2008 are supported in addition to targets for 2050. An Emissions Trading Scheme is also supported, but there is little discussion as to why it is preferred over a carbon tax.

There seems to be support for the continued public funding of research into Carbon Capture and Storage in spite of the failure of the FutureGen project in the US to maintain public funding.

[edit] Forestry and deforestation

The impact of deforestation is only considered for other countries, especially Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The report does not consider forestry or deforestation in Australia. This contrasts the McKinsey Report on Greenhouse Gas Reduction^[2] which places forestry as the sector with the most significant greenhouse gas abatement potential in Australia for reductions by 2020.