UN climate talks begin; limited progress forecast

As environmentalists point to typhoon Haiyan as a reminder of the risks of extreme weather, an international climate conference has begun.

Only modest progress is forecast as delegates from nearly 200 countries prepare for a UN pact on global warming, due to be sealed in 2015.

Meeting in Poland, they are also seeking ways to raise aid to help developing nations cope with climate change.

“I think the most important thing we are hoping for here in Warsaw is commitment on finance, getting some real pledges for these hundred billion dollars that are supposed to be earmarked for adaptation from 2020 onwards,” said Pascal Girot from the NGO Care International, who is attending the summit as an observer.

Critics claim developed countries, chasing growth after the economic crisis, are failing to rise to the climate change challenge.

The charity Oxfam has highlighted the way harvests are being hit, making it harder for the world’s poorest people to feed their families. It organised a stunt in central Warsaw in which giant puppets representing world leaders sold inedible fruit and vegetables from their market stall.