Deal Prospects Improve as Time Narrows: Tracking the Climate Talks

Originally posted on Bloomberg.com

Optimism continues to improve in Paris as ministers get down to the hard graft of bridging divisions between rich and poor countries. Much of the work is done behind closed doors, complicating the task of assessing progress.

"The mood seems to have improved, with ministers taking charge of the cross-cutting discussions on key issues, and a spirit of shared responsibility to deliver an agreement by the end of the week," said Alden Meyer, who has followed the climate talks for more than two decades at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a Washington based advocacy group. "Whether that will result in an agreement that delivers what's needed," he said, "remains to be seen."