BBC: Australia is a drag on international efforts to tackle climate change, says leading economist and former government adviser Professor Ross Garnaut.
Prof Garnaut said the country had failed to make its "fair share" of greenhouse gas cuts.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Abbott reiterated his position that coal was the foundation of global energy needs.
Australia has the world's highest carbon emissions per capita and is its second biggest coal exporter.
Prof Garnaut, who teaches at the Australian...