An international environmental think-tank has called on developed nations to help developing nations in coming up with action plans on climate change, the Zambian News and Information Service (ZANIS) reported on Tuesday.

Climate Action Network International says developed countries should provide at least 195 billion U.S. dollars in public financing per year for developing countries to develop action plans on climate change by 2020, ZANIS said.

Climate Action Network International Director, David Turnbull said in a statement obtained by ZANIS that there was need for developing countries to be supported in their efforts to limit the growth of their industrial emissions.

According to the official, emissions from deforestation and degradation needed to be reduced to zero by 2020, hence the need for developed countries to fund developing countries every year, adding that there was also need for industrialized countries to identify targets to reduce on the gas emissions by 40 percent or below by 2020.

The statement comes ahead of a Copenhagen conference on climate change that starts on December 5, 2009 where all heads of state and government around the world will convene to discuss the way forward on the effects of climate change, ZANIS said.

The Copenhagen outcomes are expected to be legally binding and enforceable: a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol; and a complementary agreement with comparable action and enforcement for the United States, and action from developing countries, according to ZANIS.

Climate Action Network is a global network of over 500 environment, development and faith-based organizations working to limit climate change to sustainable levels.