This year’s deal is a crucial advance for the global cooperation needed to halt climate change.

South Africa and other developing countries called for a legally binding outcome at the climate change talks held in Mexico over the past week.

China, cast as the wrecker of the UN climate negotiations last year, went some way towards rehabilitation.

Evidence of green business profits and more direct industry engagement may be needed to push UN climate talks out of stale rich-poor rivalries.

Almost 200 nations sought to break a deadlock between rich and poor on steps to fight global warming.

Negotiators on climate change were raising their hopes on Monday after signs of modest progress in Mexico.

African nations are refusing to sign a joint statement with the EU on climate change, saying the proposal does not reflect the continent’s priorities.