The Federal Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet has announced an independent Climate Commission, appointing a leading science communicator, Professor Tim Flannery, as Chief Commissioner.

The Climate Commission will provide expert advice and information on climate change to the Australian community, including updates on climate change science and impacts, and international action. Its role is to help build the consensus required to move to a clean energy future.

The Commission will be required to hold a series of public outreach events to explain the science of climate change; the magnitude of the challenge to address climate change; the role of a carbon price in effectively tackling climate change; how a carbon price works and its interaction with the economy and the community; and opportunities for moving to a low carbon future.

Other members of the Climate Commission are Professor Will Steffen, Professor Lesley Hughes, Dr Susannah Eliott, Mr Gerry Hueston and Mr Roger Beale. The Commissioners have expertise in a range of areas including climate change science, science communications, business, public policy and economics.

The Climate Commission will be supported by a Science Advisory Panel, with leading scientists offering further expert advice on the science of climate change and its impacts.

The Climate Commission was an election commitment announced in July 2010. The Government has set funding for four years at $5.6 million.