Mr Pronk (left) is pushing for a full agreement

A key breakthrough seems to be that more money is on the table from industrialised countries to help the developing world cope with climate change and use cleaner technology.

British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott believes progress is being made and hopes for an agreement.

"This whole business of climate change is going to bring more efficient industry, warmer homes and better public transport so it is gain, gain, gain.

We came to speak for those who are not here, for those who cannot speak, for the marginalised.

Protester George Marshall

"But it is going to be a difficult process because Britain has put off long term decisions for far too long," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The conference president, Jan Pronk, the Dutch Environment Minister, said everyone was showing a willingness to reach a deal but this did not mean there would be one.

"We still have many years to go together," Mr Pronk said.

"We must not allow any tricks."

A clearer picture was expected to emerge later on Thursday.

Protests

The conference here has been marked by a series of apparently spontaneous and disparate demonstrations.

A press briefing by the US delegation was interrupted when a protester rammed a cream cake into the face of the chief US negotiator, Frank Loy.

He cut the briefing short, but later released a statement.

It read: "On the eve of Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie would have been a more traditional choice, but what I really want is a strong agreement to fight global warming."

One of the British protesters, George Marshall of Oxford, told BBC News Online: "We came to speak for those who are not here, for those who cannot speak, for the marginalised.

"It's all about companies making a profit, not about dealing with the issues. Dialogue is impossible."