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Act now on climate, summit urged Act now on climate, summit urged
(about 4 hours later)
Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen has described the UN climate summit in Copenhagen as an "opportunity the world cannot afford to miss".Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen has described the UN climate summit in Copenhagen as an "opportunity the world cannot afford to miss".
Opening the two-week conference in the Danish capital, he told delegates from 192 countries a "strong and ambitious climate change agreement" was needed.Opening the two-week conference in the Danish capital, he told delegates from 192 countries a "strong and ambitious climate change agreement" was needed.
About 100 leaders are to attend the meeting, which is intended to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. About 100 leaders are to attend the meeting, which aims to reach agreement on supplanting the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
The UN says an unprecedented number of countries have promised emissions cuts.The UN says an unprecedented number of countries have promised emissions cuts.
AT THE SCENE Richard Black, BBC environment correspondentAT THE SCENE Richard Black, BBC environment correspondent
Even before the talks officially opened, fault lines between the various blocs here appeared to be widening.Even before the talks officially opened, fault lines between the various blocs here appeared to be widening.
Although UN climate convention head Yvo de Boer said things were in "excellent shape", with more countries than ever before proposing emission cuts, two big questions hang over these proposals: will they be acceptable to the developing world, and are they enough to prevent "dangerous" climate change?Although UN climate convention head Yvo de Boer said things were in "excellent shape", with more countries than ever before proposing emission cuts, two big questions hang over these proposals: will they be acceptable to the developing world, and are they enough to prevent "dangerous" climate change?
At this stage, the answers appear to be "no" and "maybe". The UN Environment Programme calculates that cuts on the table are nearly enough if every country turns its most ambitious pledges into action.At this stage, the answers appear to be "no" and "maybe". The UN Environment Programme calculates that cuts on the table are nearly enough if every country turns its most ambitious pledges into action.
But other analyses suggest there is still a significant gap between what scientists say is necessary and what is on offer politically.But other analyses suggest there is still a significant gap between what scientists say is necessary and what is on offer politically.
That is of great concern to governments that feel themselves on the "front line" of climate impacts.That is of great concern to governments that feel themselves on the "front line" of climate impacts.
More from Richard BlackMore from Richard Black
Mr Rasmussen told delegates that the world was looking to the conference to safeguard humanity.Mr Rasmussen told delegates that the world was looking to the conference to safeguard humanity.
"For the next two weeks," he said, "Copenhagen will be Hopenhagen. By the end, we must be able to deliver back to the world what was granted us here today: hope for a better future.""For the next two weeks," he said, "Copenhagen will be Hopenhagen. By the end, we must be able to deliver back to the world what was granted us here today: hope for a better future."
Later, Rajendra Pachauri, who heads the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), criticised the "climategate" affair - the recent publication of e-mails among scientists assessing global warming at Britain's University of East Anglia.Later, Rajendra Pachauri, who heads the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), criticised the "climategate" affair - the recent publication of e-mails among scientists assessing global warming at Britain's University of East Anglia.
He said the breaches showed "that some would go to the extent of carrying out illegal acts, perhaps in an attempt to discredit the IPCC".He said the breaches showed "that some would go to the extent of carrying out illegal acts, perhaps in an attempt to discredit the IPCC".
On Sunday, UN climate convention head Yvo de Boer expressed optimism about cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Saudi climate negotiator Mohammad Al-Sabban, who has been resisting emissions curbs, told the conference that trust in climate science had been "shaken" by the leaked e-mails.
"Never in 17 years of climate negotiations have so many different countries made so many pledges," he told the BBC. UN climate convention head Yvo de Boer said the time had come to deliver cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr de Boer said offers of finance for clean technology for poor countries were also coming through and that talks were progressing on a long-term vision of massive carbon cuts by 2050. "The time for formal statements is over. The time for re-stating well-known positions is past," he told delegates.
"Copenhagen will only be a success if it delivers significant and immediate action."
Connie Hedegaard, conference president and Denmark's former climate minister, said: "This is our chance. If we miss it, it could take years before we got a new and better one. If we ever do."
Tougher targets?Tougher targets?
On Monday, South Africa became the latest country to make an offer - saying it would 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. Mr de Boer said offers of finance for clean technology for poor countries were also coming through and that talks were progressing on a long-term vision of massive cuts by 2050.
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 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 BBC poll: Climate fears on rise
On Monday, South Africa became the latest country to make an offer - saying it would cut by one-third the growth of its carbon emissions over the next decade, subject to getting more funding and help from wealthier countries.
In July, the G8 bloc of industrialised countries and some major developing countries adopted a target of keeping the global average temperature rise since pre-industrial times to 2C.In July, the G8 bloc of industrialised countries and some major developing countries adopted a target of keeping the global average temperature rise since pre-industrial times to 2C.
However now the G77/China bloc - which speaks on behalf of developing countries - is discussing whether to demand a much tougher target of 1.5C However now the G77/China bloc - which speaks on behalf of developing countries - is discussing whether to demand a much tougher target of 1.5C.
Rajendra Pachauri, IPCC chairman: "These e-mails don't change anything"
A number of African delegations are backing the argument made by small island states that 2C will bring major impacts to their countries.A number of African delegations are backing the argument made by small island states that 2C will bring major impacts to their countries.
BBC environment correspondent Richard Black says this would raise a huge obstacle, because none of the industrialised countries have put forward emission cuts in the range that would be required to meet a 1.5C target.BBC environment correspondent Richard Black says this would raise a huge obstacle, because none of the industrialised countries have put forward emission cuts in the range that would be required to meet a 1.5C target.
The African Union has threatened to walk out of the talks if industrialised countries do not agree to help poor ones pay for the transition to cleaner economies.
Tougher targets?
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.

COPENHAGEN IN BRIEF

  • 192 countries attending talks, including about 100 heads of state
  • To discuss emissions cuts and financial measures to combat climate change
  • Danish PM urges delegates to deliver "hope for the future"
  • South Africa is the latest country to make emissions offer
  • Due to end 18 December
Updated: 13:03 GMT, 7 December
In the survey, by Globescan, 64% of people questioned said that they considered global warming a very serious problem - up 20% from a 1998 poll.In the survey, by Globescan, 64% of people questioned said that they considered global warming a very serious problem - up 20% from a 1998 poll.
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 summit
To stress the importance of the summit, 56 newspapers in 45 countries are publishing 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 are publishing 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 - was 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 are planning to hold protests in Copenhagen and around the world on 12 December to encourage delegates to reach the strongest possible deal.Environmental activists are planning to hold protests in Copenhagen and around the world on 12 December to encourage delegates to reach the strongest possible deal.
'Long-term goal'
Any agreement made at Copenhagen is intended to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which expires in 2012.

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full
Any agreement made at Copenhagen is intended to supplant the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which expires in 2012.
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.
"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."