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
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.
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
News & Media
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.
National Press Club Address: Realising Australia’s economic and climate opportunities
Fiscal policy to support future energy commodity exports
Targeted fiscal measures can drive global decarbonisation while fostering new export opportunities for 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.