Australia’s authority in Pacific 'being eroded by refusal to address climate change'

Top climate scientist says leaders disenchanted with Australia's promotion of coal and slowing down action on meeting Paris targets

Australia's regional authority and influence is being eroded by its refusal to address the threat climate change poses to many of its Pacific neighbours, according to a pre-eminent climate scientist.

As part of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia was a signatory to the Boe declaration in Nauru on Wednesday which said climate change represented "the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific".