Australia risks seriously damaging its international reputation and being isolated in the global debate on climate change unless it rethinks its inaction on greenhouse gases, international experts have warned.

And a top adviser to the Obama administration on climate change said Australia could jeopardise its relationship with the United States if the Abbott government fails to fall into line on climate policy.

''I think everyone except the climate deniers is deeply concerned with the direction [Australia] is going,'' Heather Zichal, the White House's chief climate adviser until last November, told Fairfax Media.

A new report released ahead of a meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Tony Abbott next Friday found Australia's commitment to addressing climate change had slipped behind other countries, including China and Indonesia.