The world needs to develop new technologies to suck excess carbon dioxide out of the air, because efforts to cut emissions are moving far too slowly, said the only Australian-based scientist on a major new international science group.

Nerilie Abram, a paleoclimatologist at the Australian National University, said the new Climate Crisis Advisory Group, to be officially launched later on Thursday, would aim to provide “the best scientific advice” on the urgency of slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

“We’ve wasted so much time,” Professor Abram said. “I hope that we are able to make a difference.”

The group will be chaired by Sir David King, the former UK government’s chief scientific adviser, and includes a range of 14 experts including Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency.

Read the full article on The Sydney Morning Herald website, featuring Prof Nerilie Abram