Malcolm Turnbull's moves to combine the energy and environment portfolios has won a mixed response, as Victorian Liberal Josh Frydenberg's record in the competing areas comes under renewed scrutiny.

Greenpeace slammed Mr Frydenberg's appointment to replace Greg Hunt in the expanded portfolio as a blow to the Great Barrier Reef, while Climate Institute boss John Connor said the upcoming review of the government's climate and energy policy framework could deliver progress.

The move follows Labor's lead in combining energy and environment under Mark Butler.

Mr Connor said it could see an end to the current "hodge-podge" of climate and energy policies and help the government meet its Paris agreement obligations.