COALITION climate policies would restrict greenhouse gas emissions more effectively than the government's promises but both would fail to cut them, an analysis has found.
The independent analysis on behalf of think tank the Climate Institute found existing government policies would lead to emissions skyrocketing to 21 per cent higher than 2000 levels by 2020.
The opposition's ''direct action'' climate plan would result in emissions about 7 per cent above 2000 levels - slightly higher than today.
Neither would go close to meeting Australia's bipartisan minimum international commitment of a 5 per cent cut. The Greens' would - its policies were found to lead to a 26 per cent cut.
The analysis by consultants ClimateRisk, which will be updated after the release of the climate change package discussed by federal cabinet on Tuesday, underlines the impact of the government shelving its emissions trading scheme.
Climate Institute chief executive John Connor said the emissions cut flowing from the government's 20 per cent renewable energy target had been nullified by the cancellation of the disastrous home insulation and green loans schemes.
He said the results of the ''Pollute-o-meter'' analysis showed the importance of a limit and price tag on carbon pollution as the most effective way to cut emissions.
The Coalition opposes a carbon price, while the government has delayed its scheme until at least 2013.
''Clearly both major parties have a long way to go before they can claim to have a credible or detailed plan on pollution and climate change,'' Mr Connor said.
The government fared better than the opposition in a more detailed analysis that factored in its greater commitment to limiting global emissions through the UN negotiations and other international climate talks.
It scored one star out of five, compared with the Coalition's half a star. The Greens earned four, a reflection of their commitment to the immediate introduction of an interim carbon tax.
The Pollute-o-meter is said to test the amount that a policy would reduce emissions below business-as-usual projections. Most predictions suggest emissions would be at least 20 per cent above 1990 levels by 2020 if there was no action to reduce them.
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