Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has told a high-level session of global talks in Cancun that the credibility of the UN process is in danger if progress is not made.
The talks between almost 200 nations are into the final 24 hours and roadblocks still remain between rich and poor countries.
These include the global fund for poorer countries, the divide that remains between developing and developed nations and the issues of verification of emissions and transparency.
The pressure is on to make enough progress in Mexico so a legally binding deal can still occur in the future.
Mr Combet has told the high-level session the UN meetings are watched closely in Australia and people are distracted by negotiating tactics.
“It is imperative for the credibility of this process that we’re able to make progress here at this conference,” he said.
However, there are signs these talks, unlike Copenhagen, will bring some success.
Already the US has confirmed its commitment to emissions reductions and China has said it will bring its voluntary targets under the UN umbrella.
But Mr Combet said yesterday that negotiations remained complex and expectations surrounding the outcome of talks should remain realistic.
“I would hesitate to predict where we’ll end up, but we are working very hard along with other countries to try and make sure there’s some successful building blocks that can ultimately lead us to a legally binding agreement,” he said.
“But we’re a way off that yet.”
Mr Combet says Australia will spend $600 million on poorer countries to help combat climate change.
