John Key

Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key is expected to confirm within the next 24 hours that he will attend the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen later this month.

Mr Key had not planned to go because the conference had not been expected to reach any firm conclusions on a binding international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But in the last few days the pressure has gone on leaders around the world to take a stand and force through an agreement.

US President Barack Obama has announced he is going to the conference, along with other key players.

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith was going to be New Zealand's senior representative, and he pushed hard to get the emissions trading scheme legislation through Parliament ahead of the conference so he could go to it with proof of New Zealand's commitment to reducing emissions.

Mr Key was tonight on his way back from Trinidad and Tobago, where he has attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Climate change dominated that meeting, where other leaders also decided to go to Copenhagen.

Officials were tonight understood to be making travel arrangements for Mr Key to attend.