Senior climate negotiators from 23 major UN parties across rich and poor parts of the world have given the clearest signal yet that almost 200 nations can agree a global climate pact at the end of this year.

A summary of their views was published on the website of US-based think tank C2ES after more than a year of informal dialogues chaired by two former head climate envoys from South Africa and Norway.

It maps out the main elements the negotiators believe will make up the deal, including how it can commit all nations to limiting their greenhouse gas output while binding none to specific targets.

There have been few tangible signs of progress at official talks in the lead up to the December UNFCCC conference in Paris.

While the vast majority of observers and analysts expect a deal to be struck in Paris, many have doubts about its ability curb global emissions by enough to limit temperature rises to 2C.

Most of the INDCs submitted by parties to date have been viewed by independent observers as inadequate as contributions towards the 2C goal, the level UN-backed scientists deem necessary to stand a chance of staving off catastrophic climate change.

By Ben Garside – ben@carbon-pulse.com

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