UN chief urges world climate deal by year's end

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has pressed world leaders to publicly commit here next week to reaching a global climate change deal in Copenhagen in December.

"No issue better demonstrates the need for global solidarity," he told a press conference ahead of next week's UN General Assembly session.

"The current slow pace of the (climate change) negotiations is a matter of deep concern," Ban said, adding that world leaders due to attend Tuesday's UN climate summit should "publicly commit to sealing a deal in Copenhagen."

"We want world leaders to show they understand the gravity of climate risks, as well as the benefits of acting now," Ban said yesterday.

"We want them to give their negotiating teams marching orders to accelerate progress toward a fair effective, comprehensive and scientifically ambitious global climate agreement in Copenhagen."

Europe and the US administration continue to have differences over how to cut emissions and tackle global warming.

The EU prides itself on taking the lead in the battle against climate change, with member states agreeing to make 20 percent cuts in CO2 emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels.

EU leaders are seeking a more ambitious global goal in Copenhagen and are ready to commit to 30 per cent cuts if the rest of the world does likewise to attain the overall goal of restricting global warming to two degrees Celsius.