The United States is being urged to join other wealthy countries in setting a 2020 goal for reducing greenhouse gases in order to improve the chances of a climate agreement in Copenhagen next month. Pressure was increased on the US by the Danish hosts during a final preparatory meeting in Barcelona, stating that they needed to bring something to the table. Some African nations threatened to leave the Barcelona talks unless rich countries committed to deeper emissions cuts. The head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat emphasized the importance of the US setting a clear target for emissions reductions in Copenhagen. President Barack Obama, addressing reporters at the White House, highlighted the significance of a particular element in the puzzle. He expressed optimism for a significant agreement in Copenhagen, while cautioning that it may not address all issues but would be a crucial step forward and provide a foundation for future progress. The United States has not established a concrete target for emission reduction by 2020, unlike the European Union and other developed countries. Democrats in the US Senate are moving forward with legislation to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions despite a planned boycott by minority Republicans. The proposed bill aims to achieve a 20 percent reduction in emissions from industry compared to 2005 levels. While the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee may approve the bill in the near future, there is uncertainty regarding its approval by the full Senate this year. Delegates at the Barcelona talks are facing challenges in reaching an agreement on how to distribute emissions reductions between wealthy and developing nations, as well as in securing funding to support climate change efforts in developing countries. The inclusion of forest preservation in the discussions is further complicating the already struggling negotiations. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow will emphasize the importance of considering Russia's forests' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. This was mentioned after discussions with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Moscow. Rasmussen expressed his hope to have enough progress to invite world leaders to the December conference in a few weeks. Australia reported a decrease in emissions last year, excluding the impact of forest fires. Both Denmark and the European Union urged Obama to take further action to facilitate an agreement at the upcoming talks from December 7-18. Danish Climate and Energy Minister Connie Hedegaard expressed doubt that Obama could receive the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10 in Oslo, near Copenhagen, while sending a delegation without concrete proposals. Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren, who is currently holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, stated that there has been a significant and genuine change in the American stance on environmental issues. However, he also expressed the expectation for more progress. The United States delegation in Barcelona, led by Jonathan Pershing, emphasized their commitment to a UN agreement and highlighted the efforts made under President Obama to support clean energy and reduce emissions. Pershing stressed the importance of the United States being a part of the Copenhagen deal, as the country is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China. Antonio Hill of Oxfam reported that African countries are demanding stricter emissions regulations from developed nations, with Gambia, Ethiopia, and Algeria even considering leaving the UN talks. Protesters gathered outside the conference center with hundreds of ringing alarm clocks to emphasize the urgency of reaching an agreement to address the increasing threats of climate change.