Australia is being left behind in renewable energy uptake because both its big parties cut the Renewable Energy Target and are pushing to open new coal mines, Greens leader Richard Di Natale said.

“The employment and trade opportunities of the 21st century are in clean energy, not the dying coal industry,” he said.

The report by Germanwatch and Climate Action Network Europe puts Australia ahead of Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan for climate action.

“The policy settings laid down by Tony Abbott and kept in place by Malcolm Turnbull are forcing Australia to miss the wave of innovation that will deliver economic prosperity, as well as social and environmental good,” Di Natale said.

“The Liberals' climate targets are pathetic, and the so-called 'Direct Action' policy that pays polluting companies keep polluting simply won't drive the change we need - the change the world is asking for here in Paris.

“Being at the bottom of this list is bad news for jobs, our international reputation, our health and our environment.”