South Africa has committed to reducing its carbon emissions¹ by 34% by 2020, but says it will need financial aid from developed countries to do so.

南非决定在2020年以前将二氧化碳排放削减34%，但是称必须依靠发达国家的财政支持。

Coal-fired power stations are a major contributor to South African emissions

The announcement was made as the world climate talks started in Copenhagen哥本哈根.

Environmental group Greenpeace said the announcement had made South Africa "one of the stars of the negotiations²".

The country's greenhouse gases come mostly from the coal-burning power stations. The government says it is looking at other energy sources.

South Africa said it would lower its carbon emissions to 34% below current expected levels by 2020 and about 42% below current trends by 2025.

"This undertaking³ is conditional⁴ on firstly a fair, ambitious有雄心的 and effective agreement," a South African government statement said.

"And secondly⁵, the provision规定，条款 of support from the international community, and in particular finance, technology and support."

The government said developing countries such as South Africa would need financial help from developed economies, with some of the aid being used to acquire the technology needed to reach its target.

The country's chief climate negotiator Alf Wills told Reuters the offer was the first time South Africa had given a specific target for reducing its carbon footprint碳排放量.

The government said international finance has helped South Africa to build new solar and wind-powered plants.

But construction has already begun on what is believed to be the biggest coal-burning power plant in the country.

The plant is aimed at meeting the country's increasing energy needs and avoiding a repeat of last year's rolling blackouts流动式灯火管制, which cost the country millions of dollars.