The climate change talks in Paris have been told that the wave of refugees fleeing Syria would be nothing compared to those who will face to flee because of global warming.

The warning came as 150 world leaders, including Enda Kenny, gather to begin two weeks of discussions on a new global emissions treaty.

If a globally-accepted deal emerges from the Paris talks, it will be the first universally accepted deal in more than 20 years of annual efforts.

The prime minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga - one of the first countries to produce so-called 'climate refugees' - says the wave of refugees being produced by the Syrian refugee crisis would be nothing compared to the wave produced by a chaotic climate that would make many places uninhabitable:

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says the global temperature can't be allowed to rise by more than 2 extra degrees Celsius.

And he's urged the 150 world leaders to strike an ambitious deal, which he says might save the planet.

Negotiations unexpectedly began yesterday - a day ahead of the original schedule - in an effort to allow this conference succeed where others previously have failed.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: