Fiji, May 23 -- Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has acknowledged Australia's emissions history and laid out Canberra's plan to support Pacific nations like Vanuatu in tackling climate change.

Asked how Australia plans to help small island nations address climate threats, Wong said Australia recognises its role and is taking steps to change course.

"Yes, of course, we spoke about climate, and we're not one of the world's largest emitters, but we are a country that has depended on fossil fuels. We have been a very emissions-intensive economy. We know that, and we have to turn that around," she told the media in Port Vila.

She pointed to her government's legislated targets under the Paris Agreement, and its push to rapidly expand r...