Speaking to climate and energy Ministers from the major economies – plus a handful of vulnerable countries – the Prime Minister warned against a 'business as usual'  basis and stated that the route to a low carbon global economy required high levels of international cooperation.

The PM said:

'In every era there are only one or two moments when nations come together and reach agreements that make history - because they change the course of history. Copenhagen must be such a time. There are now fewer than fifty days to set the course of the next fifty years and more. So, as we convene here, we carry great responsibilities, and the world is watching.'

'If we do not reach a deal at this time, let us be in no doubt: once the damage from unchecked emissions growth is done, no retrospective global agreement, in some future period, can undo that choice. By then it will be irretrievably too late.'

The Prime Minister's comments were made at the opening of the second day of the MEF. Day one included progress on discussions on climate finance. Some vulnerable countries delegated called climate finance 'the most important aspect' of a Copenhagen deal. The UK has set out a climate finance initiative of  $100bn per annum by 2020 to help developing countries address climate change. This will help pay for developing countries' plans to reduce emissions using greener technology, avoid deforestation and to adapt to climate change.

Read full speech. 

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