Brazil and France have agreed a common position on fighting global warming before next month's UN climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Brazil aims to cut emissions by slowing Amazon deforestation. (PA)

They will pursue the goal of reducing industrialised nations' emissions to 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the move in Paris.

It comes days after Britain said it was highly unlikely that a legally binding climate treaty can be agreed this year.

The climate conference, in the Danish capital from 7 to 18 December, aims to create a successor to the 1997 Kyoto treaty limiting carbon emissions.

But British Climate Secretary Ed Miliband said only a political deal was likely.

Developing countries reacted with frustration and disappointment to his comments.

Negotiations so far have been clouded by disputes between rich and developing nations, particularly about who will be financing a new climate deal.

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