The UN climate agency is calling for a special summit to address climate change, but may opt for high-level ministerial talks if world leaders are not on board. Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat, stated that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has agreed to send envoys to assess government willingness for a potential high-level meeting on global warming. De Boer mentioned that the Secretary-General is exploring options to support global efforts in combatting climate change, and envoys will investigate the possibility of a high-level meeting, possibly during the UN General Assembly in September. De Boer also noted that the meeting does not necessarily have to involve heads of state. "It might be at a different level, like involving foreign affairs or energy ministers," Ban said on March 1, warning that global warming is as serious a threat as war and calling on the United States to take a leading role in fighting climate change. Despite requests from UN environment agencies, Ban's spokeswoman stated that there were no immediate plans for a summit. De Boer clarified that this did not indicate a change in stance, but rather a consideration of a high-level meeting involving a wider range of stakeholders, including those in foreign affairs, energy, trade, economy, and transport. He stated that there is a need for a broader effort and more widespread support, regardless of whether leaders come together. Discussions on a global scale to combat climate change, which is largely attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, have come to a standstill. Reports from the UN this year indicate that human activities are very likely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming, leading to potential consequences such as increased hunger, droughts, floods, heatwaves, glacier melting, and rising sea levels. De Boer emphasized the necessity of accelerating negotiations to expand the UN Kyoto Protocol, which currently mandates emissions reductions for 35 industrialized nations until 2012. The United States and Australia withdrew from the agreement in 2001 due to concerns about the high costs associated with compliance. Kyoto nations account for only around one-third of global carbon dioxide emissions, the primary greenhouse gas. Among the top four emitters, only Russia is obligated to a Kyoto target. De Boer suggested that a forthcoming meeting could complement, rather than replicate, a Group of Eight summit in June, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel aims to prioritize climate change. The G8 summit will include leaders from China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, collectively representing the majority of global carbon dioxide emissions. De Boer pointed out that the G8 summit does not include certain groups, such as small island states at risk from sea level rise, the poorest nations in sub-Saharan Africa, and Australia. The next formal UN climate negotiations will take place in Bali, Indonesia, in December, where environment ministers will gather.