A global analysis of clean energy investment has found that Australia ranks 14th on the list of G20 countries, behind Mexico and Turkey.

The US-based Pew Foundation study found China was the biggest investor in projects such as renewable energy plants - including solar and wind - investing $34 billion last year.

Australia invested $1 billion, which is up by 50 per cent on 2008, while the United States spent $18 billion.

John Connor from the Climate Institute says the Federal Government needs to drive greater investments in projects like renewable power.

"It's a tragedy that we have got such rich resources in renewables in solar, wind, biomass, waves - you name it," he said.

"But without clear directions, and the course of the political squabbling that we've seen, we're not seeing that investment come forward.

"We need a limit in price on pollution and we need other incentives as well."

Globally clean energy investments have increased by 230 per cent since 2005.

Renewable power produces 6 per cent of global energy needs.