The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCC) executive secretary, Yvo de Boer, said environmental leaders from around the globe were making slow progress consolidating huge texts from the talks.

Mr de Boer speaking on the final day of the talks last week said: “At this rate, we will not make it.

“Negotiations needed to move much faster to deliver strong outcomes on areas such as adaptation, technology and building skills in developing nations.

“Governments needed to buckle down and concretely identify how to achieve this.”

He also spoke of increasing momentum at a high political level for a breakthrough at Copenhagen, including the G8 and Major Economies Forum.

However, a concerted response to climate change was essential to meet the concerns of developing countries.

Mr. de Boer stressed ‘a climate deal in Copenhagen this year is an unequivocal requirement to stop climate change from slipping out of control.’

But, the failure to come away from the talks without any major deals in place means more pressure will put on the Copenhagen summit to succeed in December.

Luke Walsh

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