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Climate change negotiations in Paris 'close to the finishing line', say French Climate change negotiations in Paris 'close to the finishing line', say French
(35 minutes later)
Negotiators in Paris are embarking on another all-night meeting to try to reach a new global climate agreement, with French foreign minister Laurent Fabius telling them they were “extremely close to the finishing line” as he presented yet another draft text. Negotiators in Paris are embarking on another all-night meeting to try to reach a new global climate agreement, with the French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, telling them they were “extremely close to the finishing line” as he presented yet another draft text.
The marathon talks have become an exercise in a diplomatic attrition, with Fabius giving nations two hours to look at the latest draft before yet another less formal meeting - known as an indaba (a Zulu word for meeting) beginning at 11.30pm Paris time. The marathon talks have become an exercise in a diplomatic attrition, with Fabius giving countries two hours to look at the latest draft before yet another less formal meeting – known as an indaba (a Zulu word for meeting) beginning at 11.30pm Paris time.
He said this all night session would be an “inaba of solutions” and negotiators would be given 30 to 45 minutes in a corner of the room to settle any impasse. He said this all-night session would be an “inaba of solutions” and negotiators would be given 30 to 45 minutes in a corner of the room to settle any impasse.
It comes after negotiators already met all through Wednesday night in two indabas, allowing all countries to once again vent their concerns.It comes after negotiators already met all through Wednesday night in two indabas, allowing all countries to once again vent their concerns.
Related: Paris talks: new draft climate deal published - live blogRelated: Paris talks: new draft climate deal published - live blog
“I hope I will present a final text tomorrow … it will allow us to complete the final lap,” Fabius said before the negotiating teams began poring over the text, in which the French had narrowed options and chosen compromise solutions. “We must do this and we can do this … I think dear friends that we will make it.” “I hope I will present a final text tomorrow … it will allow us to complete the final lap,” Fabius said before the negotiating teams began poring over the text, in which the French had narrowed options and chosen compromise solutions. “We must do this and we can do this … I think, dear friends, that we will make it.”
On Wednesday night each indaba had seats for about 80 negotiators, with more crowding in at the back. One, chaired by Fabius met until 5am Thursday. A second, chaired by the Peruvian environment minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal met until 8am. On Wednesday night each indaba had seats for about 80 negotiators, with more crowding in at the back. One, chaired by Fabius met until 5am Thursday. A second, chaired by the Peruvian environment minister, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, met until 8am.
According to veteran negotiators the indabas had made sure every country felt their views had been heard.According to veteran negotiators the indabas had made sure every country felt their views had been heard.
“They spend about 80% of their time repeating their previous positions, maybe 10% outlining new positions and only about 10% of the time compromising,” said a negotiator who participated in one of the meetings. “They spend about 80% of their time repeating their previous positions, maybe 10% outlining new positions and only about 10% of the time compromising,” said a negotiator who took part in one of the meetings.
US secretary of state John Kerry turned up at the Fabius-chaired meeting around 2am Wednesday and had what observers described as an “animated” discussion with US climate change envoy Todd Stern at the back of the room for about 20 minutes, possibly about separate informal talks on the issue of “loss and damage” – the idea that the agreement should recognise some countries will suffer irreparable harm from climate change. The US secretary of state, John Kerry, turned up at the Fabius-chaired meeting about 2am Wednesday and had what observers described as an “animated” discussion with the US climate change envoy, Todd Stern, at the back of the room for about 20 minutes, possibly about separate informal talks on the issue of “loss and damage” – the idea that the agreement should recognise some countries will suffer irreparable harm from climate change.
The US is insistent any words about loss and damage should not suggest liability or compensation or open any possibility of legal action against US companies.The US is insistent any words about loss and damage should not suggest liability or compensation or open any possibility of legal action against US companies.
Australia was represented by officials on Wednesday night. The foreign minister Julie Bishop was on call but spent the night hosting a dinner for Australian business and environmental leaders attending the conference. Australia was represented by officials on Wednesday night. The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, was on call but spent the night hosting a dinner for Australian business and environmental leaders attending the conference.
Related: Paris climate talks: deal in view but negotiations likely to go into overtimeRelated: Paris climate talks: deal in view but negotiations likely to go into overtime
The French presidency and the experts from the United Nations then spent Thursday once again carefully paring back the very many areas of disagreement to further distill the big political issues that it is hoped will form the basis of the final trade-off deal. The French presidency and the experts from the UN then spent Thursday once again carefully paring back the very many areas of disagreement to further distill the big political issues that it is hoped will form the basis of the final trade-off deal.
A group called Parisagreement.org has analysed this task by counting the numbers of brackets - indicating disagreement. When the Paris meeting began there were 1,609 sets of brackets. In the Wednesday night text there was 361. By Thursday night it was down to 50. A group called Parisagreement.org has analysed this task by counting the numbers of brackets - indicating disagreement. When the Paris meeting began there were 1,609 sets of brackets. In the Wednesday night text there were 361. By Thursday night it was down to 50.
The key issues of dispute have been honed since the talks began 11 days ago.The key issues of dispute have been honed since the talks began 11 days ago.
The deputy chief executive of The Climate Institute Erwin Jackson said the conference was “on the cusp of getting the best possible outcome … but some key political issues remain to be resolved.” The deputy chief executive of the Climate Institute, Erwin Jackson, said the conference was “on the cusp of getting the best possible outcome … but some key political issues remain to be resolved”.