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Copenhagen summit poised to open Copenhagen summit poised to open
(about 3 hours later)
Delegates from 192 countries are gathering in the Danish capital Copenhagen for the opening of the long-awaited UN summit on climate change.Delegates from 192 countries are gathering in the Danish capital Copenhagen for the opening of the long-awaited UN summit on climate change.
The conference has been described by some scientists as the most important the world has ever seen.The conference has been described by some scientists as the most important the world has ever seen.
Security is tight as organisers expect 15,000 delegates and 100 world leaders to attend over the next two weeks.Security is tight as organisers expect 15,000 delegates and 100 world leaders to attend over the next two weeks.
On the eve of the summit, the UN's chief climate negotiator Yvo de Boer said the talks were in excellent shape.On the eve of the summit, the UN's chief climate negotiator Yvo de Boer said the talks were in excellent shape.
He told the BBC that many countries were now making pledges over curbing greenhouse gas emissions.He told the BBC that many countries were now making pledges over curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
ANALYSIS Matt McGrath, BBC environment correspondentANALYSIS Matt McGrath, BBC environment correspondent
According to one UN official, this meeting of negotiators is the biggest show on Earth. While that is possibly an exaggeration, organisers say they have been inundated, with more than 34,000 people applying to attend a venue with a capacity of 15,000.According to one UN official, this meeting of negotiators is the biggest show on Earth. While that is possibly an exaggeration, organisers say they have been inundated, with more than 34,000 people applying to attend a venue with a capacity of 15,000.
Intense global interest has been heightened by the sense that this is an opportunity for the world to deal decisively with the causes and effects of climate change.Intense global interest has been heightened by the sense that this is an opportunity for the world to deal decisively with the causes and effects of climate change.
The UN negotiating process has been gradually moving forward for the past two years - but so slowly that officials and government leaders began to acknowledge that a legally binding treaty would not be reached.The UN negotiating process has been gradually moving forward for the past two years - but so slowly that officials and government leaders began to acknowledge that a legally binding treaty would not be reached.
But new pledges made in the past few weeks by the US, China and India have re-invigorated the talks - as has confirmation that more than 100 global leaders will be attending.But new pledges made in the past few weeks by the US, China and India have re-invigorated the talks - as has confirmation that more than 100 global leaders will be attending.
"Never in 17 years of climate negotiations have so many different countries made so many pledges. It's unprecedented," he said."Never in 17 years of climate negotiations have so many different countries made so many pledges. It's unprecedented," he said.
Mr de Boer said offers of finance for clean technology for poor countries were also coming through and talks were progressing on a long-term vision of massive carbon cuts by 2050.Mr de Boer said offers of finance for clean technology for poor countries were also coming through and talks were progressing on a long-term vision of massive carbon cuts by 2050.
South Africa became the latest country to make an offer on cutting emissions - its first quantifiable target.South Africa became the latest country to make an offer on cutting emissions - its first quantifiable target.
On the eve of the summit it offered to cut by one-third the growth of its carbon emissions over the next decade - subject to getting more funding and technological help from wealthier countries.On the eve of the summit it offered to cut by one-third the growth of its carbon emissions over the next decade - subject to getting more funding and technological help from wealthier countries.
Meanwhile, a new poll commissioned by the BBC suggests that public concern over climate change is growing across the world.Meanwhile, a new poll commissioned by the BBC suggests that public concern over climate change is growing across the world.
In the survey, by Globescan, 64% of people questioned said they considered global warming a very serious problem - up 20% from over a decade ago.In the survey, by Globescan, 64% of people questioned said they considered global warming a very serious problem - up 20% from over a decade ago.
At the deal's heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world Jointly written editorial in 56 newspapers in 45 countries Richard Black: Widening divide? BBC poll: Climate fears on riseAt the deal's heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world Jointly written editorial in 56 newspapers in 45 countries Richard Black: Widening divide? BBC poll: Climate fears on rise
To stress the importance of the summit, 56 newspapers in 45 countries will publish the same editorial on Monday, warning that climate change will "ravage our planet" unless action is agreed, the London-based Guardian reported.To stress the importance of the summit, 56 newspapers in 45 countries will publish the same editorial on Monday, warning that climate change will "ravage our planet" unless action is agreed, the London-based Guardian reported.
The editorial - to be published in 20 languages - has been thrashed out by editors ahead of the Copenhagen talks, the newspaper said.The editorial - to be published in 20 languages - has been thrashed out by editors ahead of the Copenhagen talks, the newspaper said.
"At the deal's heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world," the editorial says."At the deal's heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world," the editorial says.
Environmental activists plan protests in Copenhagen and around the world on 12 December, to encourage delegates to reach the strongest possible deal. Environmental activists plan protests in Copenhagen and around the world on 12 December to encourage delegates to reach the strongest possible deal.
Tens of thousands marched in London and other UK and European cities on Saturday.Tens of thousands marched in London and other UK and European cities on Saturday.
'Long-term goal''Long-term goal'
Any agreement made at Copenhagen is intended to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Targets set at Kyoto run out in 2012.Any agreement made at Copenhagen is intended to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Targets set at Kyoto run out in 2012.
COPENHAGEN TALKS Begin 7 DecemberTo discuss emissions targets and financial measures to combat climate changeHard bargaining expected in last days of meetingDue to end 18 December Climate change in graphics Where countries stand Q&A: Copenhagen summitCOPENHAGEN TALKS Begin 7 DecemberTo discuss emissions targets and financial measures to combat climate changeHard bargaining expected in last days of meetingDue to end 18 December Climate change in graphics Where countries stand Q&A: Copenhagen summit
Negotiations at Copenhagen begin on Monday and more than 100 world leaders will arrive next week to thrash out a deal.Negotiations at Copenhagen begin on Monday and more than 100 world leaders will arrive next week to thrash out a deal.
Speakers at the opening session will include Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN's panel of climate experts.Speakers at the opening session will include Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN's panel of climate experts.
World leaders who have pledged to attend include US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.World leaders who have pledged to attend include US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The main areas for discussion include:The main areas for discussion include:
  • Targets to curb greenhouse gas emissions, in particular by developed countries
  • Financial support for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change by developing countries
  • A carbon trading scheme aimed at ending the destruction of the world's forests by 2030
  • Targets to curb greenhouse gas emissions, in particular by developed countries
  • Financial support for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change by developing countries
  • A carbon trading scheme aimed at ending the destruction of the world's forests by 2030
Outlining his ambitions for the summit, Mr de Boer said: "I think what we will see coming out of Copenhagen is a package of decisions that define a long term goal.Outlining his ambitions for the summit, Mr de Boer said: "I think what we will see coming out of Copenhagen is a package of decisions that define a long term goal.

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full
"Then, first of all, what will rich countries do to reduce their emissions. Secondly, what will major developing countries do to limit the growth of their emissions and thirdly prompt finance that will allow developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change.""Then, first of all, what will rich countries do to reduce their emissions. Secondly, what will major developing countries do to limit the growth of their emissions and thirdly prompt finance that will allow developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change."
However, the BBC's Roger Harrabin, in Copenhagen, says Mr de Boer's optimism is not shared by everyone.However, the BBC's Roger Harrabin, in Copenhagen, says Mr de Boer's optimism is not shared by everyone.
Some small island states most vulnerable to climate change fear the level of international expectation is so high that leaders will agree to any deal, he adds.Some small island states most vulnerable to climate change fear the level of international expectation is so high that leaders will agree to any deal, he adds.
And new research unveiled on Sunday suggests that less than one-third of money raised by major airlines in carbon trading schemes goes directly to reducing emissions.And new research unveiled on Sunday suggests that less than one-third of money raised by major airlines in carbon trading schemes goes directly to reducing emissions.
Carbon Retirement based its report on a sample of UN data.Carbon Retirement based its report on a sample of UN data.
Under the system - set up by the Kyoto protocol - travellers pay for projects which offset emissions caused by their journey.Under the system - set up by the Kyoto protocol - travellers pay for projects which offset emissions caused by their journey.