Australia has ranked last among nations in the latest Climate Change Performance Index.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an annual publication by green advocacy groups Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network International. 

It evaluates the climate protection performance of 64 countries, responsible for over 90 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

The CCPI assesses and ranks nations in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (40 per cent of the overall score), renewable energy (20 per cent), energy use (20 per cent), and climate policy (20 per cent).

Australia ranked 58th overall, but was given no rank for climate policy because “no new policies and plans were announced to go along with” Australia’s net zero emissions plan, and because the “government does not have any policies on phasing out coal or gas”. Australia was the only country to receive no score in the climate policy category.

Australia received a “very low” rating across the board, with experts finding it is “trailing many developed economies”.

“Even though renewable electricity is growing, the experts believe that Australia has failed to take advantage of its potential, and other countries have outpaced it,” the report said. Renewable energy is considered Australia's strongest field of green transition, but the CCPI placed it 49th, one spot ahead of the United States. The report says Australia is failing to promote new technologies.

“The country's lack of domestic ambition and action has made its way to the international stage,” the report says.

“The experts describe that the country's international standing has been damaged by climate denialism by politicians, refusal to increase ambition, and refusal to recommit to international green finance mechanisms.

“Australia has fallen behind its allies and its inaction even attracted public criticism in the run-up to COP26.”

The report did not rank any counties first, second or third as none received an overall rating of “very high”. Denmark received the best overall score, while the Netherlands and Greece were deemed the greatest improvers over the previous 12 months.

Australian experts who contributed to this year’s CCPI include Andrew Petersen (Sustainable Business Australia), Richie Merzian and Alia Armistead (The Australian Institute), Suzanne Harter and Gavan McFadzean (Australian Conservation Foundation), as well as Graeme McLeay and Dr. John Iser (Doctors for the Environment Australia).