Australia offers 'climate asylum' to Tuvalu citizens

"We believe the people of Tuvalu deserve the choice to live, study and work elsewhere, as climate change impacts worsen," he said.

"Australia has committed to provide a special pathway for citizens of Tuvalu to come to Australia, with access to Australian services that will enable human mobility with dignity."

Tuvalu is made up of nine low-lying islands and is one of the countries in the world most at risk from climate change and rising sea waters.

It has more than 11,000 citizens.