Is it possible to secure effective international action to reduce the risks of dangerous climate change to acceptable levels, presuming Australia would play only a proportionate part in the global effort?

If so, what degree of mitigation would be in Australia’s interests, and what would be an appropriate Australian contribution to the global effort?

These are a couple of the questions being addressed in the Garnaut Climate Change Review, commissioned by Australia’s Commonwealth, state and territory governments to examine the impacts, challenges and opportunities of climate change for Australia.

The Garnaut Review has released its Supplementary Draft Report: Targets and trajectories, with the final report due on 30 September 2008.

“Some Australians advocate the postponement of any substantial effort until international agreement is reached, because they want Australia to do as little mitigation as possible,” Professor Garnaut says in the draft report.

“The analysis suggests that a more ambitious global objective would better suit
Australian interests. However, the Review has reluctantly concluded that more ambitious international agreement is not possible at this time.”

The Report is informed by the economic modelling undertaken jointly with the Australian Treasury as well as the Review’s own independent modelling.

To download the Supplementary Draft Report (pdf): Targets and trajectories click here.