Toughen Climate Action Every Five Years, U.N. Draft Suggests

All nations should agree to toughen curbs on greenhouse gas emissions every five years under a U.N. accord to combat global warming due in December, according to a first suggested text of a U.N. agreement on Monday.

The 20-page accord, slashing a previous text of more than 80, is a step towards a deal due at a summit in Paris from Nov. 30-Dec 11 by narrowing down core elements of an agreement.  It leaves many details unclear, such as the role of carbon markets.

While the draft gives no details of how quickly curbs would have to be ratcheted up, regular reviews are vital because the United Nations says national plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions are not strong enough to keep temperatures below a U.N. ceiling of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.

The text, drawn up by the two U.N. experts who oversee the talks among almost 200 nations, suggests all countries should publish plans for tougher action every five years under the Paris accord, which maps out actions beyond 2020.

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