The deal will also have to ensure that governments do not backtrack on promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions despite a likely lack of sanctions, according to a briefing for climate ministers attending preparatory talks in Paris on July 20-21. “There is a common understanding that the Paris agreement should be flexible, because it will need to adapt to changing circumstances,” according to the five-page document, seen by Reuters. “There is also a shared recognition that Parties should not have to negotiate a new agreement every five or ten years, but rather that the Paris agreement will form the basis for the enhanced implementation,” it said.

The new legal core of the deal “should be short and concise”, it said. By contrast, a draft text covering all aspects of the agreement stretches to almost 90 pages. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last month criticized negotiations, launched almost four years ago in South Africa, as advancing at a “snail’s pace”. About 30 nations will attend the informal Paris talks next week.

Available at: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2015/07/20/Short-flexible-U-N-climate-accord-sought-for-Paris-summit-France.html