Staff Profile
Ross Garnaut
Director
Ross Garnaut is a distinguished economist with expertise in development, economic policy and international relations, particularly across Australia, Asia, and the Pacific. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences.
Throughout his career, Ross has held influential positions in academia, business, and government. He has chaired organisations such as SIMEC ZEN Energy Technologies, Lihir Gold Limited, and the Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program. His government roles include serving as the principal economic adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke and leading key government reviews, including the landmark Garnaut Climate Change Review.
Ross’s academic work is extensive, with 48 books to his name and numerous scholarly articles. He has chaired the editorial boards of major economic journals and received honorary doctorates from the Australian National University and the University of Sydney.
As Australian Ambassador to China (1985-88), he played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations. His contributions to trade policy and climate change have made him a trusted adviser to successive Australian governments.
Work
Low Carbon Landscapes Discussion Paper
The Superpower Institute's strategy outlining how the state of Victoria could position itself as a supplier of low-carbon liquid fuels
Superpower: Australia's Low-Carbon Opportunity
In this first book of the Superpower series, Ross Garnaut makes a case for how Australia can become an economic superpower of the post-carbon world.
Ross Garnaut's Submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable
Professor Ross Garnaut's submission to the Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable
The Superpower Transformation: Making Australia's zero-carbon future
Ross Garnaut and contributors offer compelling new evidence that stronger and earlier action on climate change will be good for jobs and incomes, including in rural and regional Australia.
China, global economic disintegration, and the climate change challenge
China’s pivotal role in the global shift to net zero hinges on open international trade, enabling it to supply the zero-emissions world economy
Lets Tax Carbon: And Other Ideas for a Better Australia
The path to Australia becoming a full-employment, renewable-energy superpower begins with taxing carbon, argues Ross Garnaut in the latest instalment of his Superpower series.
The Blair Black Hole in global climate policy
Global climate targets are harder and costlier without international trade in energy-intensive goods – a normal feature of the fossil carbon economy.
News & Media
Full Responses to Good Weekend Questions
Watch—Sky news: Australia has ‘tremendous opportunity’ for emissions reductions
Listen—Seizing the economic opportunities of a post-carbon world
Renewable Energy Fit for a Superpower
Watch—Australia-Indonesia and the region in achieving net zero emissions
Listen – Ross Garnaut on 'The Greener Way' Podcast
Reports of hydrogen's death in South Australia are greatly exaggerated
Hydrogen’s main role in Australia’s economic future was always as an input into industry
The renewables boom within our reach
Building Blocks for a Green Iron Industry
Let’s tax carbon: Why the time is right for a second shot at carbon pricing
Superpower transformation and innovation in South Australia
South Australia has six advantages in the zero-emissions economy to an exceptional degree.
Climate Action Week Sydney —Australia's Superpower Opportunity
Australia’s energy transition opportunity in the current geopolitical environment
Australia can enter a new era of sustained increases in living standards if we allow sound economic principles to guide energy and industry policies.
National Press Club Address—Realising Australia’s economic and climate opportunities
The Blair Black Hole in Global Climate Policy: International trade of zero-carbon goods
Listen – Ross Garnaut on 'The Politics of Everything'
After the 2025 election: Energy transition and restoration of Australian growth
Footy faces cyclones and record heat – it’s just a taste of what’s to come from climate change
Fiscal policy to support future energy commodity exports
Targeted fiscal measures can drive global decarbonisation while fostering new export opportunities for Australia.
Pacific Trade and Development Conference — Industrial policy for Asia and the Pacific
Watch—Sky news: Calls for ‘iron metal’ to be made locally
The Iran Crisis: Fuel Security and Defeating Climate Change
Listen—Climate disaster detours
Donald Trump is a blow to Australia on climate and trade. Here’s how we minimise the damage
During the US time out, Australia and its allies must remain steady and seek to deepen cooperation among themselves.
Roundtable—'Let's Tax Carbon: and Other Ideas for a Better Australia'
Reimagining the Australia-Japan Trade Relationship: Building a prosperous future in our times
Australia and Japan’s unique partnership can model success in the transition to a global zero-carbon economy.
Listen—Future Economic Policy for Australia
This is our chance for real change
Australia’s new government has a historic opportunity to implement stable, long-term energy and climate policies, leveraging renewable resources to boost exports, productivity, and living standards after years of political instability.