The executive director of the Australia Institute has defended comments made by the UN climate chief regarding Australia’s responsibility over climate change.

Dr Richard Dennis has told 3AW Mornings Australia is being called out due to its position as the world’s third-largest exporter of fossil fuels.

“We can’t simultaneously brag about how the coal and gas industry are propping up our exports and be surprised that the rest of the world might be interested in the impact of burning all that coal and gas in the global atmosphere,” he said.

Press PLAY to hear his full opinion

“We’re not a tiny emitter … Woodside, SANTOS, BP and Chevron would happily come on your show and tell you about the enormous amount of gas exports and how they’re propping up the Australian economy,” he added.

‘We are irrelevant’: Tom Elliott criticises scaremongering by UN climate chief

Image: iStock.