Negotiators have been trying to map out the process for a climate change agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012.

The arrival of the environment ministers in Bali signals the final crucial stage in these negotiations.

Their job is to finalise the agenda for talks and launch the process.

The broad building-blocks of that agenda have already been agreed but much of the detail remains contentious, in particular how much weight to give to the heavy emissions cuts recommended by the UN's panel of scientists.

The US among others has remained firmly against binding targets for cuts in emissions but the EU and many developing countries say they are necessary for industrialised countries.

(BBC)

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