Wu Changhua,the Greater China Director for the Climate Group, elaborates on the latest progress at the ongoing climate talks in Paris.
A draft deal has already been worked out, but a host of disagreements remain , almost all related to defining the obligations and expectations of rich and poor countries.
China's chief negotiator on Saturday said that any agreement adopted should be legally binding in its entirety, not just parts of it. That contrasts with the some countries' position that only some parts should be legally binding. Also up for negotiation.
The developed countries that have traditionally been the only ones expected to provide climate finance are now asking for the donor base to be expanded to include some developing countries. China' representative will reiterate the necessity of the 'common but differentiated responsibilities' principle, which takes into account the different economic development of states. And there is still no agreement on how much the average global temperature should be able to rise.
Many developing nations, especially the island states want it to be no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. But developed countries say the planet can handle 2 degrees. Negotiators must work out all these kinks before the conference ends in less than a week.
