New Caledonia's government says it wants to join next month's climate talks in Copenhagen as rising temperatures imperil its neighbouring island countries.
The territory is not a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol and its emissions are excluded from the French quota.
Its president, Philippe Gomes, says there is a need to tie up with the French delegation but a separate arrangement has to be found to show New Caledonia's willingness to subscribe to any follow-up accord after the Kyoto Protocol expires.
The head of the environmental organisation, Together For the Planet, says the territory's emissions will treble within the next few years when two additional nickel smelters come into operation.
New Caledonia's pro capita emissions are 60 percent higher than in France.
