Nine out of 10 Australians think big polluters should pay for the impacts of climate change.
Caritas Australia research found the overwhelming majority want to see those causing the damage to pay for it, as climate finance debate rolls on at the UN COP27 conference in Egypt.
A "loss and damage fund" that would see rich nations help poorer ones to mitigate climate change-fuelled damage is on the agenda, with Australia engaging with the talks.
Cartias also found climate change is easily the biggest global threat in the eyes of Australians, outranking global conflict, despite the war in Ukraine.
Australians also feel it's important the nation is a good neighbour to other countries in the Pacific, with 91 per cent of respondents backing that statement.
Pacific nations are contributing only half a per cent of global emissions but face the most hectic consequences and are struggling to pay for them, Caritas' advocacy associate director Damian Spruce said.
"Our partners in the Pacific are telling us that they are surrounded by water, but there is not enough to drink. They have contaminated ground water from rising sea levels and they are forced to shore up their seawalls with old tyres," he said.
"The Pacific region is calling on big wealthy polluters to finally pick up the bill for their climate debts."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton demanded in parliament on Tuesday the government rule out signing up to a compensatory scheme.
But Caritas research found almost half of Australians think the Labor government is doing a better job on climate change than their predecessors (47 per cent), although they still want to see more mitigatory action taken (75 per cent).
"COP27 is meant to be all implementation and action and we're calling on the Australian government, and indeed the world, to ensure that the communities living on the frontlines of climate change do not need to pay for the excesses of the big polluters," Dr Spruce said.
Meanwhile, Australian businesses are backing the nation's bid to host COP31 in 2026.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has said the country will bid to co-host the summit in partnership with Pacific nations.
Business Council Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said COP31 will be an opportunity for Australian businesses leading on climate action "to showcase their innovation, ingenuity, and investment".
Citi vice chairman Keith Tuffley said bidding to host the summit showed a clear shift in tone from the government and would be a catalyst for the local private sector to drive the net-zero emissions transition.
