Search the SPREP Catalogue

The Garnaut Climate Change Review was commissioned by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments in 2007 to conduct independent study of the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy. I presented the Garnaut Climate Change Review: Final Report to the Australian Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers in September 2008 in which I examined how Australia was likely to be affected by climate change, and suggested policy responses. In November 2010, I was commissioned by the Australian Government to provide an updated to the 2008 review. In particular, I was asked to examine whether significant changes had occurred that would affect the analysis and recommendations from 2008.

Lying about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia, Vanuatu represents the main bulk of an island chain which continues into the eastern Solomon Islands. The islands are volcanic rock or uplifted carbonate structures and there is ongoing volcanic activity in a number of locations. Fringing reefs predominate. Crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci) outbreaks have been reported. Up to the present time the larger islands have remained forested, however, increased logging threatens to destroy Vanuatu’s rainforests. Rising pollution from sewage inputs and sediment run off and overharvesting of some non-motile reef species are also concerns.