The Garnaut Climate Change Review was led by Professor Ross Garnaut, commissioned by the Australian Commonwealth Government and delivered in September 2008. The Review provided recommendations for global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts those recommendations will have on the Australian economy and climate change.
The Garnaut Review recommends that Australia advocate for a 25% reduction in 2000 level greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 90% by 2050. This would see atmospheric carbon dioxide levels stabilise at 450ppm. A second option recommended was 10% reduction in 2000 levels by 2020, 80% by 2050, with atmospheric carbon dioxide levels stabilising at 550ppm.
In December 2008, the Australian Commonwealth Government released its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and has committed to a 5% reduction in 2000 level greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and 60% by 2050. Australia will adopt a 15% reduction in 2000 level greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 should all countries agree to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Both of these scenarios would see atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions stabilise at well above 500ppm.