The 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference has kicked off and UN Climate Chief Yvo de Boer has already laid down the gauntlet, saying that the negotiations have to produce an ambitious and sweeping agreement which must capitalise on pledges by countries to fight global warming.

The two-week conference is being held in Copenhagen and most see these as not only historic talks, but ones that almost represent the last big chance to get things right.

Chief Yvo de Boar said the time was now up to agree on the framework of a tougher climate deal after a series of troubled negotiations which have deepened a rift between rich and poor nations.

He told press agency Reuters:
“I believe that negotiators now have the clearest signal ever from world leaders to draft a solid set of proposals to implement rapid action…Never in the 17 years of climate change negotiations have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together. Almost every day countries announce new targets or plans of action to cut emissions.”

China, India and Indonesia are amongst a number of other countries which have all rallied behind the flag, announcing new commitments to reduce emissions. South Africa has also announced that it will take its turn, promising to reduce its emissions by 34% over the next ten years. And Japan remains true to its original targets of a 25% cut in emissions by 2020.

The major caveat of course is that these targets are based on every other significant country accepting and meeting their targets.

But these recent offerings from some of the world’s largest polluters provide hope that the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference can achieve some level of success.

Much rests on the last few critical days of the conference, as leaders from over 100 countries will fly in and try and finalise a major deal, including agreeing on emissions levels and who is going to foot the bill.