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23/07/2009

Mike talks with the UN's climate chief, listens to melting permafrost, and smells money.

The price of success at the Copenhagen climate change summit this December will be $10bn and a piece of paper signed by leading nations promising to slash their greenhouse gas emissions, that's according to the man leading the international negotiations.

On this week's One Planet show, Mike sits down with Yvo De Boer, the head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to talk global warming and international diplomacy.

During the chat, Mr De Boer reveals he believes the burden of tackling climate change must be shared, and $10bn from the richest nations put on the table for helping developing countries will be "a good beginning".

"That money will allow developing countries to begin preparing national plans to limit their own emissions, and to adapt to climate change," Mr De Boer says.

Mike also asks him if getting 192 nations to agree to a deal is like herding cats, and chats about the impact of the constant negotiations and never-ending travel on Mr De Boer's family life.

Also in the show, we hear from the melting permafrost of Alaska, and investigate the big bucks being spent on trying to influence climate change legislation in Washington DC.

As ever, tune in or download, have a listen and then let us know what you think. Email the team at oneplanet@bbc.com, or write to us at Mike Williams, One Planet, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service, Bush House, London. If you're a member of Facebook, you can always join our page there and continue the debate.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 Jul 2009 00:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 23 Jul 2009 09:32GMT
  • Thu 23 Jul 2009 15:32GMT
  • Thu 23 Jul 2009 19:32GMT
  • Fri 24 Jul 2009 00:32GMT

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Archive

This programme was restored as part of the World Service archive project