Climate talks "in balance": Britain

LONDON (Reuters) - U.N. climate talks remained "in the balance" after a London meeting among the world's biggest polluters meant to drive a global deal in Copenhagen in December, Britain said on Monday.

"It's more do-able today than yesterday," said Britain's energy and climate secretary Ed Miliband, at the close of the talks. "It remains in the balance in my view."

The London meeting is the latest in a U.S.-instigated major economies forum (MEF) series separate from but meant to bolster momentum in the U.N. process.

Todd Stern, Washington's climate envoy, echoed the view that a U.N. deal was possible. "More progress needs to be made but we think that something can be done."

Earlier, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said world leaders could salvage the flagging climate talks by attending them in person. Stern would not rule out the prospect of U.S. President Barack Obama attending the December 7-18 Copenhagen meeting.

"We are not foreclosing possibilities but we treat this as a ministerial meeting in the first instance. If progress is made that would warrant the attendance of leaders, we'd certainly consider that."

Brown is one of the few major economy leaders so far planning to attend the U.N.-led December 7-18 conference, supposed to agree curbs on greenhouse gas emissions and funds to help poor countries prepare for and slow global warming.

"Leaders must engage directly to break the impasse," Brown said. "I've said I'll go to Copenhagen, and I'm encouraging them to make the same commitment."

Environment ministers aim to sign in December a pact to extend or replace the Kyoto Protocol, but advance talks are mired in complex drafts and suspicion between industrialized and developing nations.

The two-year U.N. talks, launched in Bali, Indonesia in 2007 are stuck on how big carbon cuts rich nations make by 2020, and how much climate aid they should pay to developing countries.

Some experts doubt the world can agree a deal in December, arguing for example that domestic U.S. legislation won't be in place in time to allow a firm U.S. offer.

"It struck me that there is universal agreement on the need to reach an agreement in December of this year," said Miliband.

Stern could not confirm on Sunday that the United States would bring either a firm U.S. emissions reduction target or funding offer to Copenhagen.

(Reporting by Gerard Wynn; Editing by Janet Lawrence)