The countries will establish joint monitoring facilities, develop new statistical tools and collaborate on uniform regulations.

Australian Environment Minister Rod Kemp and Pete Hodgson, the Convenor of New Zealand's Ministerial Group on Climate Change, announced the alliance at an international climate change conference in Milan, Italy.

"Climate change is a reality and both our countries and our regional neighbours are vulnerable to its effects," Kemp said in a statement.

"We have an opportunity and a responsibility to work together to find practical and effective ways to tackle climate change."

The countries have launched six projects, the first of which will lead to the establishment of a formal Regional Climate Information System for the southwest Pacific region.

"The work aims to increase the capacity of Pacific Island countries to undertake climate monitoring and prediction, and build greater regional cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by climate change," the statement said.

Cyclone Zoe battered the outlying Solomons Island of Tikopia last December, cutting it off from the world for 10 days.

A project addressing climate variablity aims to develop statistical tools and a new methodology to study predictable patterns of surface air temperatures and rainfall. Both will be used to improve forecasting.

The countries will also try to eliminate differences in regulatory standards for the energy efficiency of domestic applicances and commercial equipment.

New Zealand ratified the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in December last year while Australia has invested 1.0 billion dollars (740,000) in the Australian Greenhouse Office to bring the country up to the Kyoto requirements on greenhouse gas emissions.

A report from the Australian government's Greenhouse Office released Wednesday showed in just under 30 years the average temperature in Australia will increase by up to two degrees.

It also predicted an increase in tropical cyclones and severe storms.

SPACE.WIRE