"Global Climate Treaty May Hinge on the Strength of Its Teeth"

"Negotiators working toward the Paris talks debate whether strict requirements will endanger cooperation, particularly from the U.S."

"One of the most sensitive unresolved questions facing negotiators of a new global climate treaty is how binding it will be.

If the treaty expected to be reached in Paris this year is without enforceable strict rules, some argue it will not be credible, while others say if nations are bound too rigidly, they won't agree to anything ambitious enough to matter. And the key to the whole conundrum is likely the United States.

Behind the scenes, a consensus may be emerging that the treaty's only truly enforceable rules will be procedural ones under which nations state their emissions goals and describe their progress. What will not be binding are exact numerical targets for how many tons of greenhouse gases each may emit."

John H. Cushman Jr. reports for InsideClimate News July 15, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Climate Talks Nearing Consensus in Behind-the-Scenes Meetings" (Bloomberg)