Australia ranks in bottom three rich countries for environmental policies

Australia's status as one of the largest per capita greenhouse gas emitters in the world has contributed to a bottom three ranking for environmental policy among wealthy nations.

Australia's high per capita emissions reduction are
 holding it back, according to a new global development index.

But Australia has jumped four places overall in the Center for Global Development's commitment to development index thanks to effective foreign aid spending and dedication to open trading relationships.

The annual index – which analyses 27 developed countries for their impact on the world's poor across seven policy areas – found Australia would struggle to improve on its middle-of-the-pack ranking of 14th without boosting foreign aid and efforts to address environmental issues, especially climate change.

Read the story by Fergus Hunter from The Age - “Australia ranks in bottom three rich countries for environmental policies."