Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called on young people to be the "guardians of creation" and urged greater respect for nature, as United Nations talks on climate change in South Africa got underway.

"Respecting the Creator's footprint allows a better understanding of our true human identity," said Benedict XVI, who has been nicknamed the "Green Pope" for his passion and outspoken support for environmental issues.

"Respect for human beings and respect for nature are one and the same," the 84-year-old pope told 10,000 Italian schoolchildren gathered at the Vatican.

"If man forgets in his work that he is God's collaborator, he can commit violence against creation and cause damage which always have negative consequences on man as well."

On Sunday he called for the UN talks to come up with a "responsible, credible and united response" to the "worrying and complex phenomenon" and said any agreement should take poor populations and future generations into account.

The Vatican has sent a delegation to the talks under the 194-nation UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which run through December 9.