WARSAW - The Philippines on Wednesday criticized the lack of agreement on greenhouse gas emissions as part of U.N.-led climate talks.

The Philippines' representative at the climate change conference in Warsaw, Mary Sering, said no significant progress had been made since the signing of the 1997 Kyoto Convention.

"And if we are to review our progress, would it be right for me to conclude that we failed miserably? Looking at science and how it manifested itself, not only at typhoon Haiyan, but also other events, like Kathrina in the United States, the heat wave in France, the wildfires in Australia and other extreme events occurring after observed increased warming, should we not be all ashamed being here? You cannot blame us for being impatient. We cannot go on negotiating every year without concrete action to avoid further warming," said Sering.

"You probably know Haiyan. But most of you probably do not know that those weeks before Haiyan we had to deal with an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2. Weeks before the earthquake, we had to deal with another typhoon locally known as Vinta. We only average 19 to 20 typhoons in a year, but Haiyan was already the 24th. Haiyan was followed five days by another typhoon, locally known as Suraida. And according to our experts, we're expecting at least two more before the year ends. We are running out of alphabets to name our typhoons."

The Philippines is dealing with the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan, which smashed into the country on November 8, killing more than 4,000 people and leaving four million displaced.

Japan defended its decision to slash its greenhouse gas emissions target after its nuclear power industry was shuttered by the Fukushima disaster.

"Japan has set the target to reduce emissions by 3.8 per cent compared to the 2005 level in 2020. This target may appear to be less ambitious, however this is an ambitious target. It requires Japan to improve its energy efficiency by 20 per cent, when it is already on the world's top level," said Japanese Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara.

Japan's new policy was widely criticised in Warsaw, where some 190 nations are meeting from November 11-22 to work on a global climate pact, due to be agreed in 2015.

Japan's decision added to gloom at the Warsaw talks, where no major countries have announced more ambitious goals to cut emissions, despite warnings from scientists about the risks of more heatwaves, droughts, floods and rising sea levels.

China said it will continue its policy to steer away from the pursuit of economic growth at all costs and beef up their powers to punish polluters as part of a campaign to reverse the damage done by three decades of unchecked expansion.

"We will enhance our work in order deal with climate change, and make sure that before 2020 our action goal is to reduce Co2 emissions to 40-45 per cent, that is out goal," said Chinese Vice Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission, Zhenhua Xie in Warsaw.

In wide-ranging economic and social reforms unveiled recently, the ruling Communist Party earlier said it would put more emphasis on environmental protection when assessing officials, and would also hold local authorities directly responsible for pollution.

Germany confirmed continuity of support for greenhouse gas reductions after October elections which left Chancellor Angela Merkel in power.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have my assurance that the new German government will stand by its climate targets; minus 40 per cent greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, minus 55 by 2030 and minus 80-95 percent by 2050. We have begun to consistently transform our energy system into one based on renewable energies and greater energy efficiency. And, ladies and gentlemen, the new German government is actively participating in all the efforts to enhance a collective ambition of the European Union," said German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier.

Brazil and Canada have confirmed their dedication to lower emissions through more efficient urbanisation and reducing coal usage in energy production.

A study published by scientists on Wednesday said the world is getting further off track in limiting global warming with setbacks in Japan and Australia outweighing positive signals from the United States and China.