The Abbott government has confirmed it will snub the United Nations Green Climate Fund to assist developing nations cope with global warming, absenting Australia from the fund's first pledging conference.

The fund hopes to reach its initial goal of raising $US10 billion ($11.4 billion) at a conference at Berlin on Thursday. During the past weekend's G20 summit, US President Barack Obama promised the US would contribute $US3 billion, while Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed $US1.5 billion from his nation.

Abbott government will snub UN's Green Cliamte Fund: Australia will not be represented at a Berlin summit to raise funds for a UN-backed climate fund.

A spokesman for the fund said Australia would not attend the conference in Berlin. "For the time being, Australia will not be participating," he said.

The government defended its absence from a fund which an Australian official, acting head of Ausaid Ewen McDonald, had helped establish more than a year ago. Mr McDonald was a founding co-chair of the fund's board.