Abbott's refusal to budge on coal is 'economic suicide'

Hans Joachim Schellnhuber.

Tony Abbott refused to attend the recent UN climate summit in New York and find sounding phases from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop were inadequate to save Australia’s reputation.

And the Australian Government championing of the coal industry has been described as an economic "suicide strategy".

A lead adviser to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on climate policy has attacked Australia's complacency on global warming with his observations being reported in The Age.

The story headed: “Merkel adviser lashes Abbott's 'suicide strategy' on coal” reports that “Hans Joachim Schellnhuber said most countries had given up on Australia setting tougher targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the country was now viewed alongside Canada as not contributing its fair share to global efforts to reduce climate change”.