World leaders sign historical climate deal in Paris

A deal to attempt to limit the rise in global temperatures to less than 2 degrees celcius has been agreed at the climate change summit in Paris after two weeks of negotiations.

The deal is the first to commit all countries to cut carbon emissions.The agreement is partly legally binding and partly voluntary.

The deal, to take effect from 2020, ends decades-long rows between rich and poor nations over how to carry out what will be a multi-trillion-dollar effort to cap global warming and deal with consequences already occurring.

The historic deal comes after negotiators from key nations - including China, the United States, and India - gave their approval to a draft accord presented by host France earlier in the day.

The text agreed accepts that the dangers of climate change are much greater than previously acknowledged and pledges to attempt to curb the emissions.

Earlier, French President Francois Hollande called the proposals unprecedented, while UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on negotiators to "finish the job".