Electricity emissions have jumped since the repeal of the carbon tax, the Climate Council claims.
The council cites new data by consultants Pitt & Sherry, showing carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity grid went up 6.4 million tonnes in the last financial year since the tax was axed.
The increase of 4.3 per cent has undone part of an 11 per cent fall in emissions during the two years the tax was in place.
The federal government will soon outline Australia's post-2020 targets, before the Paris conference in December.
"The news that emissions have gone up in Australia will do little to counter the impression that Australia is acting as a `free rider' on the back of other countries' efforts," Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said in a statement on Sunday.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has said the country's future carbon targets will be credible.
