Climate change risks Pacific pivot: Tuvalu

The prime minister of Tuvalu has warned Australia's "Pacific pivot" is being undermined by its climate change policies.

Australia has announced a range of infrastructure initiatives to cement its position in the region against rival China, but Enele Sopoaga is more concerned that climate change could destroy his tiny Pacific nation.

Mr Sopoaga has called on Australia to block the Adani coal mine in Queensland and make deeper cuts to carbon emissions.

"We cannot be regional partners under this step-up initiative - genuine and durable partners - unless the government of Australia takes a more progressive response to climate change," he told the ABC on Tuesday.

"They know very well that we will not be happy as a partner, to move forward, unless they are serious."