New Zealand's being accused of doing less to give up coal than greenhouse gas emissions giant China, and there's a call to follow suit.

China has banned approvals of new mines for three years and will close 1000 existing mines.

Environment and Conservation Organisations spokesperson Cath Wallace said the climate can't stand more fossil fuels, nor can people's health.

She said we need more jobs in renewable energy - more skilled occupations than coal mining.

"It's really not helpful to be letting people invest their skills, energy, careers and money in a sunset industry - that's just leaving them high and dry," she says.

Ms Wallace also wants our Government to stop approving new mines or allowing multiple renewals of mining licenses.

She said some mines have been operating for decades, with very few environmental controls in place and there have been renewals approved based on old environmental standards - or a lack of them.

Ms Wallace said New Zealand at least needs to bolster environmental requirements for licence renewals.