Australia to lead climate change fund

Australia will help lead the charge on distributing a kitty of climate change cash to developing countries on the frontline of global warming.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced Australia will co-chair the Green Climate Fund board with South Africa and she is keen for Pacific islands to get the assistance they need.

Australia has committed $200 million to fund, which is already helping to climate-proof Fiji's urban water supply, improve infrastructure in Bangladesh and support the Maldives to overcome water shortages.