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Obama 'to attend climate talks' US 'pledges major emissions cuts'
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama will go to the early part of December's UN climate talks in Copenhagen, but does not plan to stay for the crucial last stages. President Barack Obama is to pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the US in three stages, culminating in a 42% cut by 2030, US officials say.
Mr Obama will be in the Danish capital on 9 December on his way to Oslo to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize, a US administration official said. The offer will be made at December's UN climate talks in Copenhagen, which Mr Obama will attend. He does not plan to be there for the crucial last stages.
The UN climate chief said his attendance could be vital for a deal.
The talks will try to draw up a new global climate treaty to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.The talks will try to draw up a new global climate treaty to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said his attendance could be vital for a deal.
"It's critical that President Obama attends the climate change summit in Copenhagen," he told journalists.
So far more than 60 world leaders have said they will attend the summit.So far more than 60 world leaders have said they will attend the summit.
Observers say the attendance of such figures as Mr Obama will raise hopes for action on climate change, although the talks are not expected to result in a new treaty.Observers say the attendance of such figures as Mr Obama will raise hopes for action on climate change, although the talks are not expected to result in a new treaty.
Mr Obama will be in the Danish capital on 9 December en route to Oslo to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize, but does not plan to return for the key last stages of the summit, which runs from 7-18 December.
The decision, which is expected to be formally announced later in the day, follows intense speculation about whether the US president would go to Copenhagen.The decision, which is expected to be formally announced later in the day, follows intense speculation about whether the US president would go to Copenhagen.
Climate bill stuckClimate bill stuck
Delegations from 192 countries will be attending the summit, which runs from 7-18 December. Officials said the US would pledge a 17% cut in emissions by 2020, 30% by 2025 and 42% by 2030.
Leaders saying they will attend the summit include UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Delegations from 192 countries will be attending the summit.
Leaders saying they will attend include UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.
Hu Jintao, president of the world's largest polluter, China, is yet to commit to attending.Hu Jintao, president of the world's largest polluter, China, is yet to commit to attending.
The US is the second largest polluter after China.The US is the second largest polluter after China.
Mr Obama has made climate change a major priority for his administration, but a bill to cut US emissions is currently stuck in the Senate and is not expected to pass before the end of the year.Mr Obama has made climate change a major priority for his administration, but a bill to cut US emissions is currently stuck in the Senate and is not expected to pass before the end of the year.
Correspondents say most nations have given up hope of a legally binding treaty because of uncertainty about the US position.Correspondents say most nations have given up hope of a legally binding treaty because of uncertainty about the US position.