Australian coal 'putting Pacific communities at risk'

The Tuvalu Climate Action Network is condemning Australia for its continued promotion of the coal industry saying it is putting Pacific communities at risk.

The group is among civil society groups which have gathered in Apia for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.

The network's Maina Talia says, as Pacific countries head to COP23 in November, they cannot turn a blind eye to Australia's status as the world's largest exporter of the dirtiest form of fossil fuel.

Mr Talia told Koroi Hawkins as the largest and richest country in the Pacific Islands Forum Australia's position on coal weakens the Pacific's ambitions for a strong stance on climate change.