As the UN climate conference moves into its decisive final week in Cancun, negotiators have started talks on specific plans to reduce greenhouse gases emissions over the next decade.

There are still concerns the goals may not be reached as rich and poor nations struggle to break the deadlock.

The world's governments have been struggling to break a deadlock between rich and poor nations. After failing to agree to a U.N. treaty last year in Copenhagen, they are taking new steps to fight global warming and avert a new, damaging setback.

Several ministers warned that failure at the talks in Cancun could undermine faith in the ability of international communities to tackle global problems in the 21st century.

And the top UN officials say they cannot afford to fail.

Ban-Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General, said, "The longer we delay the more we will have to pay economically, environmentally and in human lives."

Christiana Figueres, Exec. Director, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said, "If you find your national position is in opposition to that of others, don't ask for compromise, think of our common planet and offer the compromise first."

The talks still have yawning gaps over the future of the Kyoto Protocol, which set goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions by rich nations until 2012.

Japan, Canada and Russia say they will not extend the pact unless poorer nations also commit to emissions cuts.

Developing nations insist the rich world must lead by setting deeper cuts beyond 2013 before they take on curbs.

Rafael Correa, Ecuador President, said, "It would be a great failure for not only the summit, but also for humanity. Who is it that doesn't want to understand Kyoto? It's not the countries that generate the environment, but the countries that consume the environment."

Confidence in the UN talks was already low after Copenhagen, and without success in Cancun could wither away.

Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa says she believes that an ambitious, broad and balanced package is within reach, but not yet within grasp.

(CCTV December 10, 2010)