China and India signed up to the Copenhagen Accord for fighting climate change today, joining almost all other major greenhouse gas emitters in endorsing the non-binding pact.

Russia is the largest greenhouse gas emitter yet to make clear if it wants to be associated with the deal, reached at a summit in December, which has strong backing from the United States.

The accord sets a goal of limiting a rise in world temperatures to less than 2 degrees Celsius but does not set out how to achieve the target. Rich nations also aim to give $100 billion a year in climate aid from 2020.

The number of backers has risen to just over 100 of 194 member states. Of these, more than 60 have also issued domestic goals for reining in climate change by 2020. A United Nation analysis indicates these pledges will only be sufficient to limit global warming to 3 degrees Celsius. - Reuters