Scrapping Climate Commission 'retrograde'

Australians will know less about the effects of climate change now that the Climate Commission has been abolished, a Queensland expert says.

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, head of the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute, says the move by Tony Abbott's government is a step back for the country.

"It's retrograde," the marine science professor, whose research focuses on coral reefs and climate change, told AAP.

"We've lost an important mechanism, it's not the only mechanism, but we've lost an important mechanism getting scientific truth out to people.

"What we had there was a group of individuals ... helping Australian people understand the complexity of climate change."

However, he described Environment Minister Greg Hunt as a "very sincere person" who would do his best on climate change policy.

"I think he'll be a very good environment minister in this respect but hopefully ideology won't interfere with his ability to do that."

Prof Hoegh-Guldberg was hopeful the coalition would ensure other departments carried out the work of the Climate Commission, which he said helped Australians better understand climate change.

The commission's work will be taken over by the environment department in an effort to streamline the process and save the budget $580,000 in this financial year and $1.6 million a year in running costs.

Mr Hunt also signed a departmental brief to close the Climate Change Authority (CCA), a move that requires consultation with the authority and legislation to be passed by parliament.

Experts once at the helm of the Climate Commission have vowed to continue their work voluntarily and have launched an independent body, the Australian Climate Council.

Since its inception the commission has cost the government $5 million over four years, published 27 reports, held over 20 public forums and delivered hundreds of speeches on all aspects of climate change.