The Prime Minister and Kirkcaldy MP hopes the region's school pupils can work together with local firms to learn about the effects of climate change, and what is already being done in the Kingdom to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Fife's schools will then be able to form links with schools in other countries to widen the message on the importance of acting now.

Mr Brown was speaking ahead of the Copenhagen climate conference being held by the UN in December.

Over 190 countries will attend to thrash out a global deal on climate change which will succeed the Kyoto protocol.

Mr Brown said: "The next few months are crucial to persuade other countries to come onboard.

"The importance of climate change starts at a local level, and we want all schools to be involved in the run up to Copenhagen, and to be aware of what is happening in the negotiations."

He added: "There are many leading businesses in Fife which are involved in creating better - and more diverse - sources of energy, including the big involvement in off-shore wind farms, and they can be an example to other countries.

"We are hopeful we can persuade others to take the long-term view."

Mr Brown pointed to the recently passed Climate Change Act, adding that Britain was also committed to achieving an ambitious, fair and effective international agreement in Copenhagen. The case has been set out in a report entitled 'The Road to Copenhagen'.

The document outlines the country's aims, including ensuring developed countries set binding targets to reduce their emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050, with interim targets for 2020, and provide financial assistance to help developing nations take action.

Copenhagen is viewed by many campaigners as an opportunity for the world's leading nations to take decisive action to prevent dangerous climate change in the future, and protect the planet for future generations.

Scientists predict a failure to act will result in temperatures rising by up to 2.5 °C above pre-industrialised levels in 50 years. The effects could include some plant and animal species becoming extinct, decline in food production, displacement of millions of people and shortages of drinking water.

Mr Brown, himself a father of two, said: "When you look at what is going to happen to the environment, and how it will affect the next generation, you realise the importance of taking action right now.

"Many children are very interested in the environment, so it's very important young people are involved and aware of what's being agreed in Copenhagen.

"Along with local businesses, we can lead the way on these issues."

Copenhagen facts:

What: CO15 is the official name for the United Nations climate conference.

Where and when: Copenhagen, from December 7, preceded by various key international meetings.

Who: Environment ministers and officials from 192 countries.

Why: The conference is being held to decide upon a deal as the successor to the Kyoto protocol, and is aimed at co-ordinating international action against climate change.

What will Copenhagen achieve: According to Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, there are four essential areas which require international agreement: how much developed countries will reduce emissions; how much major developing nations are willing to limit the growth of their emissions; how help for developing countries is going to be financed; how that money will be managed.

Key players: The USA, and the developing economies of China and India, whose commitment to signing up to exact targets for limiting emissions is in doubt.

The scientists' view: There are concerns about whether any action taken now will be too little too late. Many climate scientists do not believe efforts to restrict global warming to an additional 2 °C - the level the EU defines as dangerous - will succeed.

The campaigners' view: NGOs and charities have called for world leaders to act decisively. They are watching closely as the conference draws nearer, and have criticised developed nation's over-use of carbon offsetting - funding reduction of emissions in developing nations, rather than on home soil.

The Prime Minister's view: Mr Brown said Britain can lead the way in securing an ambitious agreement. He is hopeful one can be reached, and has not ruled out attending CO15 in person to push for a deal.