The head of the UN climate panel is optimistic that the climate talks in Bali will conclude on Friday with a specific schedule for implementing cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to combat dangerous global warming. The negotiations, involving 190 nations, have been stalled over emissions targets, with the United States, Japan, and Canada opposing any mention of numerical goals. Rajendra Pachauri, who recently accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of his UN panel, believes that a strong statement on emissions reductions by 2020 and a clear timetable for deciding on these numbers would signify progress. He suggested that reaching an agreement on a timetable could lead to establishing solid targets for emissions reductions by wealthy nations, possibly within six months. Pachauri emphasized the importance of clearly stating the targets for 2020. The UN panel has attributed global warming to human activity this year and warned of increased heatwaves, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels. There is a call for strong action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with specific reduction targets to be decided within the next six months. The Bali talks, taking place from Dec. 3-14, are discussing guidelines for formal negotiations on a post-Kyoto Protocol agreement. The EU is pushing for a non-binding agreement to reduce emissions by 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 for industrialized nations. The United States, Japan, and Canada are against providing any figures, as they believe it would unfairly influence the outcome. Pachauri, as the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, declined to address the U.S. opposition and expressed hope that the negotiations could resolve all differences. He stated that he hopes the disagreement can be resolved and noted that discussing ambitious targets of 25 to 40 percent is a positive sign that they acknowledge the scientific evidence on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Pachauri also emphasized the importance of acting to prevent the serious impacts of climate change.