The Australian Government has released the terms of reference commissioning Professor Ross Garnaut to update his 2008 Garnaut Climate Change Review.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Greg Combet, said the review update delivers on the commitment made to the Member for New England, Tony Windsor, following the Federal election.

“The updated Garnaut review will be an important contribution to public debate, and of course, the deliberations of the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee,” Mr Combet said.

“Professor Garnaut will update several key areas of research and build upon the substantial analysis undertaken for his original Climate Change Review, where: significant changes have occurred, or the sum of expert knowledge has increased, since the original analysis for the 2008 Review was undertaken; and such changes or improvements in expert knowledge could have significant implications for he key findings and recommendations of the 2008 Review, such that they should be updated.”

Professor Garnaut was advised to consider international developments in climate change mitigation, scientific developments, previous proposals to develop a carbon price in Australia, domestic and international emission trends, changes in the cost and availability of low emissions technology, the potential for abatement within the land sector and developments in the Australian electricity market.

According to Mr Combet, the review will include consultation with key stakeholders, including expert advisers to the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee.

Professor Garnaut is expected to produce a series of issues papers, to be released to the public, and hold public forums in capital cities and regional centres around Australia.

The final report will be presented to the Government by 31 May 2011.