THE clear-up after the UN climate talks was underway in Copenhagen yesterday but, in the wake of an agreement that fell short of expectations, many are looking to next year in the hope of finally achieving a legally-binding deal.

The clear-up after the UN climate talks is under way in Copenhagen today but, in the wake of an agreement that fell short of expectations, many are already looking to next year in the hope of finally achieving a legally-binding deal.

World leaders emerged with a climate agreement last night which they claimed was a “first step” in tackling global warming – but which campaigners criticised as “a toothless declaration” which would fail to avert catastrophe.

UK officials claimed to be “hopeful” that a climate deal could be reached tonight, but an agreement announced between the US and major developing economies was condemned by environmentalists as “a toothless declaration” which would not tackle global warming.