Delegates at the annual climate talks in Doha continue their discussions today to try to reach a deal to limit global warming. The two-week UN meeting was originally due to end yesterday. Disagreements were seen over the levels of emissions cuts acceptable to both developed and developing economies. Developing countries want to extend the Kyoto Protocol, which obliges developed nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol is scheduled to expire by the end of this month. Poor countries also want firm commitments from rich nations to boost aid for them to 100 billion dollar annually by 2020 – a general pledge that was made three years ago. But rich nations are not willing to commit to specific targets now, citing world financial turmoil and pressure on their budgets.

A spate of scientific reports released during the two-week meeting provided compelling new evidence that the Earth's climate is warming. They also predicted dire consequences – from rising sea levels to more severe droughts, floods and storms – unless action is taken to reduce climate-changing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.