Logo of the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11), also known as "Paris 2015" Scheduled from November 30 to December 11. (AFP Photo)
US President Barack Obama said Wednesday he was "optimistic" a crucial summit in Paris aimed at securing a deal to contain global warming change would be a success.
In a speech to an Asia-Pacific business conference in the Philippines, Obama also said a strong climate pact would spur business opportunities and boost the world's economy.
"I'm optimistic we can get an outcome we are all proud of," Obama said.
"If we an get an agreement done it can drive new jobs and new opportunities. We have to break out of the mindset that when we are doing something about climate change, we slow growth."
The goal of the UN summit in the French capital, which begins on November 30, is to forge a pact to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming.
Scientists warn that unless drastic action is taken quickly, warming temperatures will lead to rising sea levels and natural catastrophes that threaten mankind.
The Paris event represents the first bid for a truly universal climate rescue pact since the chaotic 2009 summit in Copenhagen ended in bitter disappointment.
Previous efforts have failed because governments and business have struggled to break free from fossil fuel dependency that has driven economic growth.
In the latest example, the Republican-run US Senate on Tuesday rejected key rules by Obama's administration to limit greenhouse gas emissions by power plants.
But Obama insisted moving to renewable energies and away from fossil fuels presented business opportunities, not threats.
"There is not a contradiction between growth, development and being good stewards of the planet, they are complimentary," Obama said.