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Australia has ranked among the worst in the developed world for being carbon competitive, potentially threatening future investment here.
The first G20 low-carbon competitiveness report looks at productivity versus emissions, or "carbon productivity'' and makes a sad assessment of Australia's standing and growth.
Australia ranked 15th in an analysis of its capacity to generate business in a low-carbon economy - the lowest position of any industrialised country. The report also found Australia was in the bottom of the pack when it came to its share of meeting the global greenhouse gas target of 450 parts per million by 2020.
It came 16th, with only Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia requiring a bigger turnaround to get back on track.
The situation has the potential to ruin Australia's economic viability, Investor Group on Climate Change's, Nathan Fabian, said.
"If Australia lags other economies in reducing emissions, local investors will look to economies that provide economic growth and lower emissions risks.''
Australia's low ranking was a result of its carbon-intensive exports, low use of clean energy and high consumption of transport fuels, the Institute said.
France, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Germany ranked the best for carbon competitiveness.