Climate talks kick off in Poland with boost from G-20 summit

Negotiators from around the world are meeting in Poland for talks on curbing climate change, three years after sealing a landmark deal in Paris that set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2°C.

Envoys gathered on Sunday in the southern city of Katowice, a day earlier than originally planned, for the UN meeting that runs until December 14.

READ: Govt should urgently plan for massive cyclone storm damage in SA - Wits researcher

Ministers and some heads of government are to join on Monday, when host Poland will push for a joint declaration on ensuring a "just transition" for fossil fuel industries facing closure as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The meeting received a boost over the weekend, after 19 major economies at the G-20 summit affirmed their commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord.

The only holdout was the US.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter.

- FOLLOW News24 on Twitter