Big greenhouse emissions cuts are affordable and achievable, the CSIRO says, contradicting statements from Prime Minister John Howard on Tuesday that put economic prosperity ahead of reducing emissions.
An official CSIRO submission to Mr Howard's emissions trading task group last month said most international studies now showed developed countries would need to slash emissions by 60 to 90 per cent by 2050 to avoid "dangerous levels of climate interference", Fairfax newspapers reported.
Studies had also shown rapid action on greenhouse gases would only slightly slow Australia's and the world's economic growth.
Mr Howard said on Tuesday the government would not commit to a target for reducing greenhouse emissions until he knew the impact the target would have on the economy, and attacked targets set by Labor and the Greens.
The Greens set goals of a 30 per cent cut in emissions by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050, while Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has committed Labor to 60 per cent by 2050.
"Neither the Greens or the Labor Party has any idea of what that will do to jobs," Mr Howard told ABC radio.
"I think it is crazy and irresponsible of any political party in this country to commit to a target when you don't know."
The CSIRO position came to light as Australian of the Year Tim Flannery appeared to threaten to hand back the honour because his views on climate change were in conflict with government policy.
Speaking to public relations practitioners at RMIT University in Melbourne on Tuesday, Dr Flannery said he was struggling to reconcile his role as Australian of the Year with his views on climate change.
But Dr Flannery later told the ABC his comments reflected the different ways he could handle the conflict and he would keep the award for now.
