French President Francois Hollande is urging global mobilization to seek a "restrictive" agreement at an upcoming UN Climate Change Conference.
He made the call in Paris at the "Call of consciences for the climate" meeting, attended by politicians, religious leaders, and activists from around the world.
Hollande stressed that the climate issue is linked to everyone living on Earth.
"There will be women and men from every continent, who have every conviction and religion possible on the planet, and who are coming together to send a single message: an agreement should be made in Paris at the climate conference. It's not an issue for heads of state and governments, this is an issue for all the residents of the world."
The UN says current national plans for curbing greenhouse gas emissions will not be enough to limit warming to a U.N. goal of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.
That means a need for flexibility to ratchet up ambitions in an accord meant to limit greenhouse gases.
Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan told the conference that strong leadership is key to reaching an agreement this time around.
"Let us develop a global conscience based on the well-being of our planet that transcends national boundaries or group and self interests. Every nation and every individual working together must strive to defeat the threat of global warming. We can succeed, but it would require sustained and determined leadership."
To date, 47 out of 195 countries to participate in the international climate meeting have submitted plans for curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
The list includes the 28 member countries in the European bloc, China, the United States and Russia.
The UN Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11.
