Countries make rainforest protection pledge

A number of countries have come together at the Copenhagen climate change summit to pledge billions to be used to protect endangered rainforests around the world.

Together, the UK, the US, Japan, Norway, Australia and France will donate some $3.5 billion (£2.1 billion) over the next three years to try and reduce the level of emissions from rainforest deforestation in places such as the Amazon.

Commenting, US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said that taking steps to protect the world's rainforests is a necessity rather than a luxury.

"This substantial commitment is reflective of our recognition that international public finance must play a role in developing countries' efforts to slow, halt and reverse deforestation," he commented.

The money is set to be used by developing countries to try and reverse the impact of deforestation, which is thought to be responsible for around a fifth of all the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

Written by Kimberley Homer.

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