The US will identify a "near-term" emission reduction target as part of efforts to arrive at an agreement as long as other major greenhouse gas emitters do the same, senior administration officials said.

"There will be a submission that takes cognizance of where we are in the legislative process," an official was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.

Two weeks ahead of the climate talks, the US remains the only industralised country that has not committed to any targets.

One of the principle obstacles in the path of a binding agreement at Copenhagen is US Congress' failure to pass a domestic climate legislation that sets binding targets based on which President Barack Obama can make international commitments.

Earlier this year, the House of Representative passed a bill calling for a 17 per cent reduction from 2005 levels by 2020 and an 80 per cent cut by 2050. The bill in front of the senate has a 20 per cent reduction by 2020 but this level is expected to be lowered.