Mt Kenya, once the only snow-capped mountain on the equator, but, unlike in the past when it was covered by snow, the effects of global warming have left it bare. (Photo Courtesy William Oeri /Nation)

Abuja — Ahead of the historic UN Climate Change Conference kicking-off today in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Commission, Mr. Yvo de Boer, has expressed confidence that the meeting would deliver a comprehensive, ambitious and effective international climate change deal.

According to Boer, developed countries will need to provide fast-track funding on the order of at least $10 billion a year through 2012 to enable developing countries to immediately plan and launch low emission growth and adaptation strategies and to build internal capacity while developing countries will have to indicate how they intend to raise predictable and sustainable long-term financing and what their longer-term commitments will be.

In his pre-conference press statement posted on the COP 15 Website yesterday, Boer said based on the out-pour of concerns and pledges by world leaders over the need to take a decisive action against climate change, it is only a matter of days at the conference before an agreement is reached.

"Within two weeks from Monday, governments must give their adequate response to the urgent challenge of climate change Negotiators now have the clearest signal ever from world leaders to craft solid proposals to implement rapid action," he said.

Nigeria and the European Union ( EU ) have also voiced their optimism that the conference would lead to an effective, equitable, ambitious, comprehensive and legally binding global agreement on climate change.

In a joint statement issued in Abuja by EU and Nigeria both expressed their believe in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities as the entry-point to a lasting collaboration in tackling the challenges posed by climate change.

"Africa and the European Union are calling for an effective, equitable, ambitious, comprehensive and legally binding global agreement",

The statement said that developed countries have the primary responsibility on mitigation and financing, subscribing to substantial emission cuts and funding while developing countries need to be furnished with resources, capacities and technology to adapt to unavoidable climate change and embark on a low carbon development path with all commitments flowing from the new regime must be monitored, verifiable and measureable.

"The world must rally around the 2oC target and without further delay take bold steps. Africa and the EU - the region most vulnerable to climate change and the world's largest economic bloc - share this sense of urgency. Copenhagen must go down in history as the crossroads where the world changed direction. We owe it to ourselves and to our future generations - those who cannot join us at the negotiating table, but will suffer most", says Nigeria 's Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey.

On the other hand, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Per Lindgärde said: "climate change is real and know what it takes to avert its dangerous effects. It is now a question of mustering the political will. It is truly promising that Africa and the EU have exerted leadership and that our two regions arrive Copenhagen with common views on key issues, since when we move together, climate negotiations have historically moved forward".

Nigeria is one of ten African countries charged by the African Union to forge an African Common Position. It leads the Technical Group in the Conference of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change.

Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the European Union and leads the negotiations on its behalf at the Climate Summit. Climate Change is a central element of the "Nigeria-EU Joint Way Forward", the tool for political dialogue and relation-building between the entities.

Referring to numerous emission reduction pledges that developing and developed countries have made in the run-up to COP 15, Boer said there was unprecedented political momentum to clinch an ambitious deal in Copenhagen.

"Never in 17 years of climate negotiations have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together," he said. "So whilst there will be more steps on the road to a safe climate future, Copenhagen is already a turning point in the international response to climate change."

Boer spoke of three layers of action that governments must agree to in the course of the coming two weeks: fast and effective implementation of immediate action on climate change; ambitious commitments to cut and limit emissions, including start-up funding and a long-term funding commitment;and a long-term shared vision on a low-emissions future for all.

He said ss of 2010, immediate action will need to begin on reducing emissions, adapting to the inevitable effects of climate change, delivering adequate finance, technology, reducing emission from deforestation in developing countries and capacity-building.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an aggregate emission reduction by industrialised countries of between minus 25% and 40% over 1990 levels would be required by 2020 in order to stave off the worst effects of climate change, with global emissions falling by at least 50% by 2050. Even under this scenario, there would be an only a 50% chance ofavoiding the most catastrophic consequences.

More than 15,000 participants, including delegates from 192 countries, are expected to take part in the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 7 to 18 December.