Hosts Britain urged G20 finance ministers to put aside their differences and strike a deal on climate funding despite fading hopes for an accord at key UN talks next month.

Politicians and central bankers from the world's top 20 largest and emerging economies are holding their second day of talks in the Scottish golfing town of St Andrews, aimed at bolstering the fragile world economic recovery.

In the run-up to the meeting, G20 sources said it would also address the sensitive issue of climate finance, particularly how cash committed by rich countries to help poorer nations tackle climate change should be delivered.

But a French source said late on Friday that, despite the looming Copenhagen talks on cutting greenhouse gases, the issue "may not appear at all in the communique, or there could be something very vague".

This is because some emerging countries say the G20 is not the "appropriate forum" to discuss the issue, the source said.

Alistair Darling, finance minister of host country Britain, acknowledged there were "different views" around the table which would lead to "arguments" as he formally opened proceedings today.