Malaysia will offer "credible" cuts in its emissions of carbon dioxide at the Copenhagen climate change summit in a bid to halt global warming, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Najib will be among more than 110 world leaders who will meet in Copenhagen this week to attend a summit to try to clinch a deal on deeper emissions cuts by rich nations, steps by developing nations to cut their carbon pollution and finance to help the poor adapt to climate change.

"We are willing to offer our commitment, I am not just going to call on the developed world I am going to commit Malaysia and I am going to commit Malaysia to very credible cuts which means we have to spend, which we will do," Najib said in an interview with Reuters .

Najib said the cuts were still being worked on.

The United Nations has said a full, legal treaty to expand or replace the existing Kyoto Protocol is out of reach at the talks, after two years of troubled negotiations, and is likely to be agreed some time in 2010.

UN data shows Malaysia's carbon emissions in 2006 stood at 187 million tones or 7.2 tonnes from each Malaysian.

Although that figure is far less than neighbouring Indonesia, which is the world's third largest emitter with 2.3 billion tonnes or 10 tonnes per capita, according to Indonesian government data, Najib said all nations must contribute.

"It has to be predicated on the fundamental principles of the Kyoto protocol and the UN Framework on Climate Convention," he said.

"Amongst which the most important being the common but differentiated responsibilities that the developed world must deliver against larger cuts in terms of carbon emissions and that the developing world should be assisted particularly in terms of finanancial assistance, capacity buiding and technology."

Climate change fight must take priority

Najib said that despite the current economic turmoil, which has seen the United States and Europe plunge into huge budget deficits, the fight against climate change had to take

priority.

The United Nations wants to raise US$10 billion a year from 2010-12 in quick-start funds to help the poor cope with global warming and move away from fossil fuels. But few nations have offered quick-start cash.

In the longer term, the United Nations estimates the fight against global warming is likely to cost $300 billion a year from 2020, largely to help developing nations adapt to impacts such as droughts, floods and heatwaves.

"If we really talking about it we must walk the talk (on funding). Otherwise we are just going to face a very uncertain future and the effects will be quite catastrophic," Najib said.

According to a statement from Wisma Putra today, Najib will be in Copenhagen on Wednesday and is scheduled to deliver a statement on Malaysia's position on climate change on Dec 17.

Najib will also attend the opening session for the heads of state or government, which will be officiated by the Denmark Prime Minister and a dinner hosted by the Queen of Denmark and Prince Consort.

- Reuters