Two degree climate deal unlikely: Reinfeldt

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has said the Copenhagen summit is unlikely to result in a pledge to try to cap the rise of global temperatures since the dawn of the industrial era at two degrees Celsius.

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"We need to keep the two degree target," said Reinfeldt, whose country holds the European Union rotating presidency, but he added: "I'm not sure we'll be able to deliver that" in Copenhagen.

Reinfeldt, who was speaking at the European parliament in Strasbourg, and European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, were due to travel later on Wednesday to Copenhagen to represent the EU at the international climate talks.

A key aim is to limit the average rise in world temperatures to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In an effort to achieve that, the EU has pledged to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.

It has also offered to increase the cut to 30 percent if other major polluters join the effort.

"Europe has done its part and is ready to move to 30 percent but we cannot solve the problem alone, we only stand for 13 percent of global emissions, we need the other major emitters to make commitments," Reinfeldt underlined.