Obama, Lula discuss ‘robust’ climate deal

US President Barack Obama and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Wednesday discussed efforts to secure a “robust” climate deal at negotiations reaching a climax in Copenhagen, the White House said.

The two leaders spoke by telephone as Obama prepared to depart Thursday for the Danish capital, in a bid to reach a wide-ranging deal to tackle global carbon emissions.

“President Obama stressed to President Lula the importance of our two countries continuing to work closely to help achieve a robust agreement that makes real progress in forging global action to confront the threat of climate change,” the White House said.

“(Obama) noted the key role Brazil is playing, and explained both the steps that have been taken in the United States, and his commitment to an agreement in Copenhagen with emissions reductions, financing, and a transparent and internationally verifiable compliance regime.”

The US president “emphasized the need for a strong foundation that includes action by all countries,” the White House added.

Obama also spoke to the Prime Minister of Grenada, Tillman Thomas, whose country chairs the Alliance of Small Island States, which is lobbying for tough limits on temperatures rises to be set in Copenhagen.

In that conversation “the president stressed the importance of creating a successful framework for emissions reductions and the importance of putting into place suitable financing mechanisms and a transparent and internationally verifiable compliance regime,” according to a White House statement.

The calls came as wealthy nations pledged some 22 billion dollars to bankroll the fight against global warming, delivering a huge shot in the arm to a UN climate summit marred by wrangling and violent protests.

Japan led the way by promising to stump up a whopping 1.75 trillion yen (19.5 billion dollars), including 1.3 trillion in public funds, for developing nations on climate change if a comprehensive deal is reached at Copenhagen.