Moves to cut climate science research jobs at the CSIRO have cost taxpayers almost $3 million, despite an about face by the Turnbull government.

Information provided to a Senate committee this month showed 29 redundancies from the science and research body's climate science programs cost $2.88 million, including all benefits and notice period payments to the sacked workers.

CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall. Credit:James Brickwood

The cuts, first planned in February 2016, prompted widespread condemnation and raised fears that Australia was undermining global efforts to monitor and predict the impact of climate change.

CSIRO management originally planned to cut 100 climate scientist jobs, but backed down a public outcry and reduced the planned job losses to 70 positions.