Inquiry into the Kyoto Protocol

Terms of Reference

The Treaties Committee shall inquire into and report on whether ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change is in Australia's national interest. The Committee will examine:

• The implications for Australia of proceeding or not proceeding to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and meeting its target emissions levels by 2008 with regard to anticipated and/or predicted economic, environmental and social outcomes both nationally and in specific regional areas.
• The veracity of conflicting current scientific theories on global warming and any solutions proposed for it.
• What definitions and criteria Australia should develop and actively pursue in its national interest with regard to:
  

  - grandfathering,

  - trading credits,

  - carbon credits,

  - sequestration,

  - revegetation,

  - land management, and

  - definitions (eg "forest").

• The economic, environmental and social implications of a punitive approach to any domestic regulation of industry including such proposals as a carbon tax and an incentive-based approach.

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