Australia should reduce emissions, coal mining -Pacific leaders

By Colin Packham

FUNAFUTI, Tuvalu, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Australia should domore to reduce its carbon emissions and giving cash to countriesbattling climate change was not enough, Pacific island leaderssaid on Tuesday in a rebuke of Canberra's latest attempt toimprove ties with the region.

Australia will give A$500 million ($339 million) to Pacificisland nations for renewable energy projects and to help themprepare for the impact of climate change, Prime Minister ScottMorrison said on Monday before a trip to the region.

Leaders from the Pacific's smallest islands, who say risingsea levels are an existential threat to their low-lying nations,said Canberra's announcement did not excuse its support for thecountry's coal industry.

"No matter how much cash you put on the table, it does notgive you the excuse not to do the right thing, that is to cutdown on emissions and not open coal mines," Tuvalu PrimeMinister Enele Sopoaga, who is also chair of the Pacific SmallIslands States meeting, told reporters.

The smaller states met in Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu,ahead of Tuesday's opening of the Pacific Islands Forum whichMorrison will attend.

In June, Australia approved a new coal mine in Queenslandstate by India's Adani Enterprises that is expected toproduce 8-10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year. Morrison'sstrong backing of the mine was seen as a key factor in hisgovernment's surprise re-election in May.

Pacific island leaders have also criticised Australia forcounting emission reductions achieved prior to its 2016 pledgeto reduce emissions by between 26%-28% from 2005 levels by 2030.

Canberra has said going further would cause major damage toan economy dependent on the mining industry.

"Australia meets its commitments, and we will always meetour commitments," Morrison said on Tuesday when asked how hereconciled the environmental aid package with the Adani mineapproval.

"And that is a point that I'll be making again when I meetwith Pacific leaders," he added.

Australia's stance has created tensions with its neighboursjust as China is looking to increase its sway in the region.

Along with economic aid and loans, China's support fortackling global warming is seen aiding its drive to win alliesand influence in the Pacific region.($1 = 1.4751 Australian dollars)(Reporting by Colin Packham; Additional reporting by John Mair;editing by Darren Schuettler)