Funafuti, Tuvalu: Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is accountable only to the Australian people after holding his ground against Pacific leaders who had joined forces to dial up the region's efforts to phase out coal.

Australia was left isolated as leaders bickered during a marathon summit meeting on Thursday night, as fears grow that China will seek to exploit diplomatic differences over how to respond to the effects of climate change on low-lying island nations.

Scott Morrison arrives in Tuvalu. Credit:AAP

Mr Morrison stood his ground against the anti-coal push, while acknowledging climate change was the single biggest threat to the security of Pacific island nations.

The Prime Minister went on a hard economic sell during the 12-hour meeting, telling leaders that getting young people into jobs with help from schemes such as the Pacific worker program was key to the region's future prosperity.