Co-chairs of the upcoming Bonn climate talks stressed the lack of time left to reach a deal as a revised negotiating text was published.
The 83-page text was edited by the co-chairs of the ADP working group following requests from officials at the last discussions who were concerned about the slow speed of negotiations. The new text, while only two pages shorter than the previous version, presents a clearer picture of the possible final outcome without removing any options put forward by the negotiating parties, the UNFCCC said in a statement.
A note from the co-chairs accompanying the text stresses the urgent need to make progress in the next round of talks, which begin on 31 August and will last five days.
"It is the last session before the October session, which will be the last one before COP 21. It is thus crucial to make the best use of the very limited time available and to demonstrate flexibility regarding the mode of work if the ADP is to fulfil its mandate on time," it states.
The document indicates which elements of the agreement could be enshrined in international law and what decisions could be taken as soon as the agreement is adopted. For example, commitments to tackle climate change could be legally binding, but the details of how this would be implemented could come in a separate decision, it says.
The text also identifies the further decisions that will need to be taken to ensure that whatever deal is reached in Paris can take effect in 2020, according to the statement from the UNFCCC.
