(VOVworld)- A UN conference has passed a package of agreements on coping with climate change and extending the Kyoto Protocol, the only binding pact on curbing Earth-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Agreement on the modalities of a Kyoto "second commitment period" concluded 12 days of tough haggling in Doha. (Photo courtesy of COP18/ CMP8)

An agreement on the modalities of a Kyoto "second commitment period," which seeks to rein in climate change pending a new global pact due to enter into force in 2020, concluded 12 days of tough haggling in Doha. Observers said although the success is small, it symbolizes the global effort to fight against climate change. At the meeting, representatives from 27 EU members, Australia, Switzerland, and eight other industrialized countries signed up for binding emission cuts by 2020. The achievement is considered a key step towards a new UN international agreement scheduled to be adopted in 2015 and take effect in 2020. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the first progress adding that the world still has a lot of things to do.

Regarding financial support for poor countries to deal with global warming and convert to planet-friendlier energy sources, the US, Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark committed to funding but didn’t mention specific amount of money claiming for facing financial difficulties. Developing countries said they need at least 60 billion USD until 2015 to cope with droughts, floods, storms, and sea level rise. Earlier, developed nations pledged to fund 100 billion USD per year by 2020 - up from a total of 30 billion USD in 2010-2012.