Australian and International Climate Change Policy

On October 30, the Brookings Institution, in conjunction with the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the International Food Policy Research Institute, will host Professor Ross Garnaut for a discussion on climate change policy. The occasion will also mark the launch of The Garnaut Climate Change Review in the United States.

As part of the Australian Government’s focus on climate change, Professor Garnaut led an investigation into the impact of climate change on the Australian economy. The Garnaut Climate Change Review, which has been very influential in Australia, identified policy recommendations that would maintain the country’s prosperity while mitigating the negative influences of global warming. Professor Garnaut’s final report, embodying proposals for domestic and international policy, was given to the Australian Prime Minister and State Premiers on September 30, and was published by Cambridge University Press on October 16.

Professor Garnaut is a distinguished professor of the Australian National University, as well as a professorial fellow and a vice chancellor’s fellow at the University of Melbourne. Garnaut is a director of the Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading international policy think tank and chairman of the International Food Policy Research Institute. From 1985 to 1988, Garnaut was Australia’s ambassador to China.

Carlos Pascual, vice president and director of Foreign Policy at Brookings, will provide introductory remarks and will moderate the discussion.