World eyes final climate talks before Copenhagen climate meeting

The world has its eyes on Barcelona, the destination of the final round of negotiations before the Copenhagen climate meeting. UN officials are calling 2009 a crucial year in the fight against global warming and has urged the international community to take action.

Many are asking what the world can do to ease the effects of global warming. UN officials say a climate deal in Copenhagen is an unequivocal requirement.

During the five-day talks in Barcelona, delegates from nearly 180 countries will try to draft a deal for the Copenhagen meeting in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

But differences remain between developing and developed countries. Disputes over 2020 emission cuts by developed nations, and financial support to help developing countries combat climate change remain sticking points.

Poorer countries say developed nations must cut emissions by at least 40 percent below their 1990 levels by 2020, far greater than what is on offer.