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Agreement Reached in Final Hours of U.N. Climate Conference


World leaders meeting in Denmark reached a non-binding agreement Friday to cut greenhouse gases and reduce global warming, but critics have condemned the plan for not going far.

The deal calls for each country to submit plans for cutting carbon emissions to limit global warming to two-degrees Celsius. It also includes a method for verifying reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and $100 billion to help developing nations curb their emissions.

U.S. President Barack Obama brokered the deal after a meeting with leaders from China, India, South Africa and Brazil during the final hours of the United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen. Mr. Obama told reporters it was a "meaningful and unprecedented" breakthrough.

The deal still needs to be approved by all 193 nations attending the conference.

The two-week conference was plagued by disagreements between rich and poor countries over emission targets and financing.

Earlier Friday, President Obama told world leaders attending the final day of the conference that it is time for "the nations of the world to come together behind a common purpose."

China and the United States have taken a lead role in Copenhagen as the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters.

The United States has committed to reduce emissions by 17 percent by 2020, and to make deeper cuts, up to 80 percent, by 2050.

Washington also announced plans to contribute to a global fund to help poor nations cope with global warming. The aim is to provide up to $100 billion in funding per year by 2020.

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