A New Zealand climate change expert says Kiribati is at the moral heart of climate change negotiation.
Stephanie Lee who works for New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is one of 30 international delegates in Kiribati for this week's climate change conference.
Ms Lee told AAP Kiribati is so vulnerable to so many environmental hazards.
Kiribati's President Anote Tong is hoping the conference will draw attention to the plight of the Pacific nation.
He also wants it to result in the formation of a unified voice ahead of next month's global change summit in Mexico, adding strength to a push for a legally binding treaty to promote long-term action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
