The Government's policies on global warming have scored badly on a new performance index.
The index was released at the UN climate change conference in Nairobi in Kenya.
The survey, conducted by a German environmental organisation, examined the 56 countries that account for 90% of all greenhouse gas production.
Germanwatch found Ireland's record on reducing carbon emissions ranks only 40th out of 56.
While Minister for the Environment Dick Roche maintains Ireland is making major progress towards its Kyoto Protocol targets, the European Commission believes it is falling behind.
This morning, the EU's Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas, said that climate change was 'the gravest challenge facing mankind'.
Click here for an exclusive blog from the climate talks in Nairobi
