China has dismissed allegations made by a British minister that it was responsible for the near collapse of climate negotiations in Copenhagen.

The UN climate summit in Copenhagen has formally closed with a deal many countries admit falls far short of the action needed to tackle global warming.

Thousands of activists massed outside the conference centre in Copenhagen in a protest against the lack of progress on a global deal to stop climate change.

The world's leaders will be arriving in the Danish capital over the next few days for the final round of negotiations.Forty eight leaders met overnight in an informal session with the conference president.

As things heat up at the climate change conference in Copenhagen, Canada has already received an award – but not one to brag about. Canada received a 3rd place award for Environment Minister Jim Prentice comments: “Canada will not be swayed by Copenhagen hype.”