UN climate chief warns that Bali talks could end in failure

Bali: The UN's climate chief has warned that the deadlock between the US and European Union over curbing pollution levels could derail talks aimed at formulating a new global warming pact.

America has objected to the language in a draft document which gives a suggested target for industrialized nations of cutting emissions by between 25 and 40 per cent by 2020.

It is leading a group of countries, which also includes Japan, that say specific targets should not be included in the document.

The European Union says the figures reflect the measures scientists say are necessary to rein in global warming.

UN climate chief Yvo de Boer, said: "I'm very concerned about the pace of things. If we don't get wording on the future, then the whole house of cards falls to pieces. We're in an all or nothing situation."

With time running out to reach an agreement for a successor to the Kyoto Treaty, the United States is still talking things up.

It says it hopes eventually to reach an agreement that is "environmentally effective" and "economically sustainable.

Other sticking points include demands from developing countries for assurances of financial assistance to help them become cleaner.