Environment Minister Greg Hunt is standing by the appointment of a self-confessed climate change sceptic to chair the federal government's review of the renewable energy target (RET).
Dick Warburton will head the review into the RET, which mandates that 20 per cent of all electricity come from renewable sources by the end of the decade.
Mr Warburton insists he is not a climate change denier but questions claims that man-made carbon dioxide is the major cause of global warming.
"I'm not a denier of that, but I am sceptical of that claim," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
He said he would keep an open mind and his personal views would not influence the review, which will assess the progress of RET, its impact on power prices and contribution to cutting emissions.
The environment minister defended Mr Warburton's credentials, pointing out that Labor had chosen him to head the business advisory council for their climate policy pre-dating the carbon tax.
"It doesn't matter (about) beliefs on a particular issue, both sides of government, both sides of the parliamentary debate, have appointed him to the most senior positions," Mr Hunt told ABC Radio.
The Australian Greens are less convinced, branding Mr Warburton one of Australia's "chief opponents" to effective global warming policy.
"I'm sure the global warming sceptics in the government think he is a marvellous choice to head up this anti-wind and anti-solar review," Greens leader Christine Milne said.
The government insists the outcome of the review is not pre-determined.
"No the target isn't going to be abolished, the renewable energy scheme isn't going to be abolished," he said.
