Qatar hosts climate change summit

Delegates arrive for the opening of a climate change conference in Doha, Qatar.

The summit is being held in a Gulf country for the first time.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE CONFERENCE CHRISTIANA FIGUERES, SAYING:

"This is the first time the conference of the parties to the climate change convention is being held in the Gulf region. On this historic occasion the Gulf region has an unequalled world stage to showcase the contributions made to reduce the Gulf's food and water vulnerabilities, to put regional energy growth on a more sustainable path."

But few expect the 200 participating nations will be able to agree on a meaningful strategy to tackle rising temperatures globally.

It is also unlikely they will ratify an extension of the U.N. Kyoto Protocol, a legally binding plan on cutting green house gas emissions.

A failure to reach consensus would undercut work on a new deal to unite rich and poor countries before the Kyoto Protocol expires at year's end.

Alarm is mounting around the world as more evidence of the earth's warming comes to light.

A U.N. study revealed that temperatures are set to rise between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius due to emissions, which could lead to more flooding, droughts and heat waves as well as rising sea levels.