The government has been warned by a leading scientific body that inaction on climate change now could cost far more in the future.

The Royal Society has released a report warning inaction on the issue has led to New Zealand having emissions much higher than most developed countries. The report criticises the government for not adopting solutions already available, instead waiting for technological improvements that would offset our current lifestyle.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw said National tends to talk about the costs of dealing with climate change, without acknowledging investment could boost green business, and therefore our economy.

"The government also doesn't talk about the cost of doing nothing, and we know that climate change is actually already costing us millions every year, and in some years billions," Shaw said.

He insists the government is ignoring the economical benefits of supporting green businesses.

"If we're going to invest in a high-tech, high-value, jobs-intensive economy, you'll get a return on that investment."

However Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett relates that the government is currently deciding on a new strategy, so the report is helpful.

"I don't see it as critical, but I do think we as the New Zealand Government are at a point in time where we can have a really good look at what our ambitions are, what we're doing in the future and how we pull that together."

The report also recommended an independent committee to help bring in existing climate change solutions.

But Paula Bennett said the Ministry for the Environment just needs to change how it coordinates those working on the issue.

She said the Ministry doesn't control all of the elements at the moment, but everything should be run past them to make sure it's streamlined, and she knows they can do that better.