Lima, December 1 (teleSUR-RHC)-- This year is on track to be the hottest year on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a weather trend occurring as leaders from around the world meet in Lima to attend the 12-day United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is expected to lay the groundwork for next year’s climate change summit in Paris, where countries are scheduled to sign a definitive plan for change starting in 2020.

The event’s executive secretary, Christiana Figueres, said: “Never before have the risks of climate change been so obvious and the impacts so visible. Never before have we seen such a desire at all levels of society to take climate action.”

During the Lima conference, countries are likely discuss the reduction of carbon emission and mandated carbon cuts worldwide.

Many developing nations reject the idea of the same carbon targets for everyone. They argue that they should not be forced to cut their emissions by the same amount as developed countries.

The UNFCCC states that all policies aimed at reducing the impacts of climate change should be carried out with consideration for social and economic development priorities of developing countries.

Climate change negotiators will also address the decision of whether to sign legally binding agreements among nations participating in the Paris Climate change negotiations, to enforce individual countries’ commitments.

The negotiations in Peru will largely be based on the findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s fifth assessment report, which focused on emission-reduction proposals for policy makers.