If all the goals are included, Australia ranked 35 because it scored higher on health, education, clean water and some economic indicators.
But the 2021 Report singled out Australia as one of seven G20 nations that had not committed to net zero emissions by 2050 or 2060.
Sustainable Development Goal 13 stipulates that member countries must take “urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has insisted his government is “preferably” aiming for net zero by 2050, but refuses to give a road map.
SDG action is measured by per capita emissions from fossil fuel combustion; per capita CO2 emissions embodied in imports; per capita CO2 emissions embodied in exports and carbon pricing score. Australia scored 10 out of 100.