Cop 27: Talks stumble into extra time

The UN Cop 27 climate talks entered their first extra day with no agreement yet on a broad range of issues.

Cop 27 president Sameh Shoukry today said that work continues to find consensus all of the major issues at the talks in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, including loss and damage, adaptation and a mitigation work program.

Earlier talks "did not result in any clear direction toward consensus," leading to extensive negotiations up to and past the scheduled 18 November end date for the conference.

"After hearing the various perspectives, I as president developed text on all of the three issues that are balanced that I believe constitute a basis for moving forward," Shoukry said.

While none of the parties may feel that "all of their interests were reflected" in the new text, Shoukry said that the vast majority view it as "potential breakthrough" that could lead to consensus.

"The issues now rest with the will of the parties," he said. "It is the parties that much rise to the occasion."

Shoukry said the text "does keep 1.5 alive," and uses "necessary language that provides comfort in some quarters."

Loss and damage has been the top issue at this year's Cop, with developing countries pushing for agreement to great a funding facility under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The term is used to refer to the destructive effects of global warming, and is a priority for many vulnerable countries experiencing extreme climate-related events such as storms and rising sea levels.

The EU has sought to break the logjam with a proposal that would create a fund for the countries that are most vulnerable with contributions from a "broad funder" base that takes into account current economic situations. That would include countries like China, which has resisted being included on a funding list.

Austrian energy minister Leonore Gewessler this morning said that the "EU still stands by its offer" but that it cannot "afford a bad deal". "Now the others need to move too".

By Michael Ball, Florence Schmit and Georgia Gratton