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United Nations climate talks in Scotland have ended with a global agreement that aimed at least to keep alive hopes of capping global warming at 1.5C, and so maintain some chance of saving the world from catastrophic climate change.

Conference chairman Alok Sharma was visibly emotional before banging down his gavel in relief on Saturday to signal there were no vetoes from the almost 200 national delegations present in Glasgow, ranging from coal- and gas-fuelled superpowers to oil producers and Pacific islands being swallowed by the rise in sea levels.

The two-week conference - extended into an extra day of tortuous negotiations - was the 26th of its kind but the first to call for a reduction in fossil fuels, which not only power much of the world's economy but are also the main cause of manmade global warming.

But there was last-minute drama as India, whose energy needs are hugely dependent on the coal it has in abundance, raised last-minute objections to this part of the agreement.

The clause was hurriedly amended to accelerating "efforts to phase down unabated coal power, and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies", weakening what had been "efforts to phase out".

The change was met with dismay by the rich economies of the European Union and Switzerland as well as the Marshall Islands, one of the small Pacific island states whose existence is under threat from rising sea levels.

But all said they would let it stand for the sake of an overall agreement.

"The approved texts are a compromise. They reflect the interests, the conditions, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"They take important steps, but unfortunately the collective political will was not enough to overcome some deep contradictions."

Sharma had had the onerous task of balancing the demands of climate-vulnerable nations, big industrial powers, and those like India and China whose consumption or exports of fossil fuels are vital to their economic development.

His voice broke with emotion after he heard vulnerable nations express their anger over the last-minute changes.

"May I just say to all delegates I apologise for the way this process has unfolded and I am deeply sorry," he told the assembled delegates.

"I also understand the deep disappointment but I think, as you have noted, it's also vital that we protect this package."

The overarching aim that he set before the conference was one that climate campaigners and vulnerable countries had found far too modest - namely, to "keep alive" the 2015 Paris Agreement's target to cap global warming at 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

The agreement in effect acknowledged that commitments made so far to cut emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gases are nowhere near enough, and asked nations to set tougher climate pledges next year, rather than every five years, as they are currently required to do.

Scientists say that to go beyond a rise of 1.5C would unleash extreme sea level rise and catastrophes including crippling droughts, monstrous storms and wildfires far worse than those the world is already suffering.

But national pledges made so far to cut greenhouse emissions - mostly carbon dioxide from burning coal, oil and gas - would only cap the average global temperature rise at 2.4 Celsius.

Jennifer Morgan, executive director of the campaign group Greenpeace, saw the glass as half-full.

"They changed a word but they can't change the signal coming out of this COP, that the era of coal is ending," she said. "If you're a coal company executive, this COP saw a bad outcome."

Developing countries argue that rich nations, whose historical emissions are largely responsible for heating up the planet, must pay more to help them adapt to its consequences as well as reducing their carbon footprints.

The deal gave the poorest nations more promises, but no guarantees, that they would finally get more of the financial help they have long been told they will get.

It urged rich countries to double finance for climate adaptation by 2025 from 2019 levels, offering funding that has been a key demand of small island nations at the conference.

Adaptation funds primarily go to the very poorest countries and currently take up only a small fraction of climate funding.

A UN committee will also report next year on progress towards delivering the $US100 billion ($A136 billion) per year in overall annual climate funding that rich nations had promised by 2020 but failed to deliver. And governments will be summoned to meet in 2022, 2024 and 2026 to discuss climate finance.

Yet even $US100 billion ($A136 billion) a year is far short of poorer countries' actual needs, which could hit $US300 billion ($A409 billion) by 2030 in adaptation costs alone, according to the United Nations, in addition to economic losses from crop failure or climate-related disasters.

© RAW 2021

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After almost a century of advocacy, a "jewel in the crown" of Australia's natural beauty - home to rare plants and animals, stunning rock formations and lush forest - has been protected by the NSW government.

More than 30,000 hectares near Lithgow has been declared a nature reserve, with the state government on Saturday pledging $50 million to establish world-class ecotourism facilities in the area.

The Gardens of Stone Reserve was conceived in 1932 by Myles Dunphy, "the spiritual grandfather of the conservation movement in Australia".

Its declaration as a protected area nine decades later is the culmination of possibly the longest conservation campaign in the state's history, advocates say.

"It has been a long time coming but it was definitely worth the wait," Nature Conservation Council chief executive Chris Gambian said.

"This is a very significant addition to the state's conservation reserve system ... (and) one of the conservation movement's proudest days - it shows what people can achieve when they work together and stay focused and optimistic in the face of many setbacks."

The area is home to internationally significant rock formations and more than 80 threatened plant and animal species, including the giant dragonfly.

"It's got amazing mazes filled with turrets of sandstone that look like natural sculptures," former director of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Keith Muir said.

"They're about castle size and you walk through them, and then you discover a field of wildflowers or you discover a trickling stream or a valley of amazing gnarled gum trees."

The protection announced on Saturday ends decades of heavy use of the area by the coal industry.

Some of the damage done to the wilderness can't be reversed, but the government's funding pledge will go a long way to make sure is accessible and in top shape for travellers to enjoy, Mr Muir said.

"There's nothing else like it in Australia."

"It is a jewel in the crown. It should have been protected long ago."

Premier Dominic Perrottet is also keen for the state's residents to enjoy the new park, promising upgraded lookouts, walking trails, a 4WD circuit and a mountain bike network on the cards.

"We're investing record amounts in our national parks to protect our natural gems while also generating new industries in our regions to support jobs and creating new iconic experiences so more people can enjoy our natural wonders," Mr Perrottet said.

However the "centrepiece of the investment" will be the Lost City Adventure Experience, which will include Australia's longest zipline, an elevated canyon walk, and a rock climbing course.

Mr Gambian says the new facilities will bolster the local economy and create jobs, but will also unlock a new ecotourism hub for the state.

"This part of the Blue Mountains has been largely unexplored by tourists - both those from Sydney and internationally - but the potential is enormous," he said.

"Many people have no idea there is scenery on the edge of Lithgow that rivals the best that Katoomba and Blackheath have to offer.

"Today's announcement will hopefully change that forever."

© AAP 2021

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No new coronavirus deaths have been reported in NSW in the previous 24 hours for the first time in almost three months, while health authorities encourage people who have been vaccinated for six months to book in for a booster shot.

The milestone comes as vaccination rates across the state continue to climb, keeping hospitalisations low.

NSW reported 250 local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday, 36 lower than the previous day.

The health districts with the most cases are in South Western Sydney where 54 people tested positive and Western Sydney where there are 42 new cases.

In the state's regions there were 39 new cases in the Hunter New England region and 32 in the Murrumbidgee area.

There are 228 people in hospital - also down on the previous day's tally - with 32 in intensive care.

The last time the state recorded no new deaths in a reporting period was more than 11 weeks ago, on August 24.

Some 90.8 per cent of people over 16 are fully vaccinated and 94.1 per cent of adults have had their first jab.

In the 12-15 age group, more than 80 per cent have had their first dose, and 72.4 per cent both.

NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said now the state has passed the 90 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone, it is important for anyone aged 18 and over who has been vaccinated for six months to seek out a booster shot.

"While the risk of infection and disease is much higher in unvaccinated people, we do sometimes see outbreaks occurring among vaccinated people particularly in indoor settings like gyms, bars and pubs," Dr McAnulty said on Saturday.

"Early testing, if you have the symptoms, is really critical."

High vaccination rates also mean from Monday NSW Health will no longer list case locations that a COVID-19 positive person has attended.

Also from Monday, elective surgery will begin to return to full capacity in Greater Sydney.

Meanwhile the state is gearing up for the return of international students next month.

Vaccinated students entering NSW will not have to quarantine, the government announced on Friday.

The first chartered plane will touch down in Sydney on December 6 with about 250 students from countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Canada.

A second flight bringing students from South Asia is also scheduled.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says this is a "significant milestone".

"They don't just make a significant contribution to our economy but international students play a role in our culture and contribute to our community and lifestyle," the premier said in a statement.

The announcement mirrors one made by Mr Perrottet in May, which was thwarted by the Delta outbreak that started the following month.

NSW Vice-Chancellors' Committee convenor Barney Glover welcomed the announcement and said there would hopefully be 500 fully vaccinated students returned to NSW and ACT universities by the end of the year.

"We have missed the many contributions international students make to our community," Professor Glover said.

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NSW reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time in almost three months, while health authorities encouraged people to get booster shots and increase their immunity.

NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said now the state has passed the 90 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone, it is important for anyone aged 18 and over who has been vaccinated for six months to seek out a booster jab.

"While the risk of infection and disease is much higher in unvaccinated people, we do sometimes see outbreaks occurring among vaccinated people particularly in indoor settings like gyms, bars and pubs," Dr McAnulty said on Saturday.

"Early testing, if you have the symptoms, is really critical."

Some 91 per cent of people over 16 are now fully vaccinated and 94.2 per cent of adults have had their first jab.

In the 12-15 age group, more than 80 per cent have had their first dose, and 72.4 per cent both.

NSW reported 250 local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.

The hardest hit health districts were South Western Sydney where 54 people tested positive and Western Sydney where there are 42 new cases.

In the state's regions there were 39 new cases in the Hunter New England region and 32 in the Murrumbidgee area.

There are 228 people in hospital - also down on the previous day's tally - with 32 in intensive care.

From Monday NSW Health will no longer list case locations that a COVID-19 positive person has attended and elective surgery will begin to return to full capacity in Greater Sydney.

Meanwhile the state is gearing up for the return of international students next month.

Vaccinated students entering NSW will not have to quarantine, the government announced on Friday.

The first chartered plane will touch down in Sydney on December 6 with about 250 students from countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Canada.

A second flight bringing students from South Asia is also scheduled.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says this is a "significant milestone".

"They don't just make a significant contribution to our economy but international students play a role in our culture and contribute to our community and lifestyle," the premier said in a statement.

© AAP 2021