UN chief Ban Ki-moon has taken the whip to world climate talks, saying the typhoon-struck Philippines should spur environment ministers to put new energy into efforts to curb global warming.
With just more than three days left in the marathon UN talks in Warsaw, delegates and observers complained of scant progress, particularly on the vexed question of money, after more than a week of haggling.
The annual talks seek a way towards sealing a global pact at the end of 2015 for curbing greenhouse gas emissions and channelling aid to poor, climate-vulnerable countries.
"I am deeply concerned that the scale of our action is still insufficient to limit the global temperature rise to below 2C from pre-industrial levels," Ban told the opening of a high-level segment capping this year's round of negotiations.
"Climate change threatens current and future generations - we need to look no further than last week's catastrophe in the Philippines," said the UN secretary general, referring to Typhoon Haiyan, which killed at least 4000 people and left millions desperate for food aid.
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Ban called for higher commitments to reducing fossil-fuel emissions.
"Current pledges are simply inadequate," he said.
"We must set the bar higher."
And he urged negotiators to "step up finance".
Developing countries are challenging rich countries to honour a 2009 promise to muster up to $US100 billion ($A106.99 billion) a year in climate aid by 2020.
Ministers are to discuss financing issues on Wednesday.
