Climate Change Authority appoints new chair

Former NSW liberal member Matt Kean will take over as the new Climate Change Authority (CCA) chair in August, with the founder of an impact investment firm named a new member.

This comes amid ongoing debate around the efficacy of nuclear energy, with Kean stating the renewable energy source would be "far too expensive" and "take far too long".

The CCA's new member is Patty Akopiantz of Assembly Climate Capital.

Akopiantz is a non-executive director at KPMG, a chair at Environmental Leadership Australia, alongside multiple other director and chair positions.

Kean will chair the CCA following the departure of current chair Grant King, who will resign in August after more than three years at the independent statutory body.

Under King's leadership, the CCA established an annual review of progress to government, as well as led legislative reviews of the Carbon Credits Act and the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme.

Ahead of his exit, King will deliver the CCA's advice on sectoral decarbonisation pathways to support Australia's transition to net zero.

Minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen said King "has seen the authority restored to its proper role in supporting the government's responsible climate goals".

He said Kean has an "ability to bring people from across the political spectrum with him for the good of the community."

"As a former New South Wales treasurer and minister for energy and the environment, Matt Kean is uniquely qualified to lead the Climate Change Authority and I am so pleased that he has accepted the government's invitation to take up the vacancy," prime minister Anthony Albanese said.

"Mr Kean not only understands the importance of strong action on climate. He also understands the complexities of the transition and the need to carefully design policies and focus on practical implementation to ensure real emissions reductions."