Australia criticised for not joining nations pledging to quit coal at COP26

Australia is not among the countries that are set to be signatories to the new deal, sparking disappointment from climate advocacy groups.

The Climate Council says Australia is lagging behind in its efforts to transition away from coal.

"First, we refused to join more than 100 other countries in the global methane pledge, and now this. Australia is so out of step and out of touch with the rest of the world, and that’s going to harm our economy, climate and future prosperity," The Climate Council's Professor Will Steffen said.

"Australia is acting as a handbrake on global climate action. Government representatives are spruiking gas, a fossil fuel, and carbon capture and storage at this climate conference and are resisting the push to phase out fossil fuels globally."

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Speaking to SBS News in Glasgow, Energy Minister Angus Taylor defended the Australian government's decision not to sign up to the pact.

"We have a whole of economy target, we don’t set sector specific or gas specific targets. Our focus is on bringing down the cost of low emissions technologies, not wiping out industries."

Some of Australia’s coal customers have joined the pledge.

"That is their choice and they will do as they see fit, and that’s absolutely appropriate," said Mr Taylor.

"We will supply the products our customers need as they bring down their emissions over time."

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