Ananova:

Some 150 global companies and corporate brands have called on world leaders to come up with a comprehensive and legally binding framework to tackle climate change.

Led by The Prince of Wales's UK and EU Corporate Leaders Groups on Climate Change, the corporate communiqué is an unprecedented move by the international business community.

It is likely to have a significant impact on the UN's climate talks in Bali in Indonesia next week.

The group say they need a mandatory agreement on emissions reductions to give them the confidence to invest in low-carbon technology.

The "Bali Communiqué" spells out the companies' belief that: "a sufficiently ambitious, international and comprehensive, legally-binding United Nations agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will provide business with the certainty it needs to scale up global investment in low-carbon technologies."

It has has been signed by household names such as Tesco, Lloyds TSB, Nike, Sky and Nokia.

Companies putting their name to the call for a binding deal also include airlines such as easyJet, BAA and oil giant Shell, as well as US and Chinese organisations.

The business leaders say global targets for emission reductions - which need to be at least 50% by 2050 - should be based on science, not economic considerations.

The communiqué also says the companies believe the costs of action to cut carbon emissions is less than the price of inactivity, and that the shift to a low-carbon world will create "significant business opportunities".

The initiative has been welcomed by the Prince of Wales, who has said in the Financial Times that he hopes it will strengthen the resolve of officials gathering in Bali to make the "tough decisions" the world needs.

The communiqué has also won the backing of Friends of the Earth.