Pressure is mounting on the United States to join other wealthy nations in setting a 2020 goal for reducing greenhouse gases in order to salvage the upcoming climate deal in Copenhagen. Danish officials emphasized the importance of the United States not arriving at the negotiations empty-handed. African countries are also demanding that rich nations increase their emissions-cutting targets. The head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat stressed the necessity of a clear target from the United States for the Copenhagen summit. President Barack Obama, while addressing reporters at the White House, emphasized the importance of a particular element in the puzzle. He expressed optimism for a significant agreement to be reached in Copenhagen, but also acknowledged that it may not address all issues related to the matter. Obama highlighted the need for progress and the foundation it would lay for future advancements. Currently, the United States has not provided a specific target for reducing emissions by 2020, in contrast to the European Union and other developed nations who have set goals for emission reduction. Democrats in the US Senate plan to move forward with legislation in a key committee, despite a boycott by minority Republicans. The proposed legislation aims to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent from 2005 levels. However, even if the bill is approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, it is uncertain whether it will be passed by the full Senate this year. Delegates at the Barcelona climate talks expressed concern about the urgency of reaching an agreement on emissions reductions between wealthy and developing nations, as well as finding funding to support developing countries in addressing climate change. The issue of forests also poses a challenge to the ongoing negotiations. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow will demand that the capacity of Russia's forests to absorb carbon dioxide is considered during discussions, following a meeting in Moscow with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. Rasmussen expressed his hope to have enough progress to invite global leaders to the December conference in the coming weeks. Australia reported a decrease in emissions last year, excluding the impact of forest fires. Denmark and the European Union called on Obama to take further action to reach an agreement at the upcoming talks from Dec. 7-18. Danish Climate and Energy Minister Connie Hedegaard expressed skepticism about Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Dec. 10 while sending a delegation with no substantial progress to Copenhagen, just a few hundred kilometers away. Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren, who is representing the European Union, stated that while there has been a significant change in the American position, they are still expecting more. The United States delegation in Barcelona, led by Jonathan Pershing, emphasized their commitment to a UN deal and highlighted the efforts made under Obama to promote clean energy and reduce emissions. Pershing stressed the importance of the United States being a part of the Copenhagen deal, especially considering that the US is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China. African countries urged developed nations to implement stricter emissions regulations, with Gambia, Ethiopia, and Algeria considering leaving the UN talks, according to Antonio Hill of Oxfam. Protesters outside the conference displayed hundreds of alarm clocks to emphasize the urgency of reaching an agreement to combat the increasing threats of rising temperatures, floods, heatwaves, wildfires, and sea levels.