Canada is ranked near the bottom of a global survey -- again -- on efforts to combat climate change.

An annual list compiled for international environmental groups has Canada 54th out of 57 countries, above only Australia, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

It's the sixth year in a row Canada has been judged an international laggard.

The survey, compiled by a German environmental group, consults 190 climate experts around the world and considers both government policy and actual emissions.

Matthew Bramley of the Pembina Institute, a think-tank that contributed to the ranking, said the factor that hurt Canada's standing the most was weak government policy.

Canadian politicians are gathering at an international summit in Cancun, Mexico, to discuss climate change strategy.