Greens Leader Christine Milne is seeking a full Senate inquiry into the $3.2 billion Direct Action plan.
The inquiry will test claims by Prime Minister Tony Abbott that planting trees and paying polluters to cut emissions will cut greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Milne said the public hearings will prove Direct Action is a waste of money.
Plans for a full Senate inquiry, which will include expert evidence from scientists, economists and industry, will be unveiled by Milne when parliament resumes next week, the report said.
Labor is expected to support the move. The draft terms of reference will test the cost effectiveness of Direct Action in reducing emissions, its capacity to meet international obligations regarding a global limit on a temperature rise of nore more than 2 degrees and examine the "absence of certainty" for long term investment in clean technology.
