Is the Paris climate summit shaping up to be a success?

Many hoped the Paris summit would produce a breakthrough agreement among nations on carbon emissions. What are your thoughts on the success of the conference?

There were cheers and sighs of relief Saturday. After two weeks of talking, the world's nations agreed to adopt a deal on climate action. The 31-page document is being hailed as the first universal climate agreement; 195 countries have signed up to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wealthy nations are pledging to offer financial support to help poor countries adapt to more environmentally friendly policies. 

As is often the case in UN negotiations, the final hours boiled down to high-stakes brinksmanship between competing interests — particularly the industrialised world and emerging economies such as China and India.  

Canada played a key role as part of a "high ambition coalition." It also included the U.S., Australia and dozens of African and small island states. Together this group wanted to push for firm targets — "a legally binding agreement" to keep global warming "well below" 2 degrees centigrade.

During the Paris talks, India's negotiators were adamant that their national priority is raising a vast population out of poverty. China also asserted their right to keep developing in order to improve standards of living. 

What do you think? Should developing nations prioritise climate action over alleviating poverty? And should richer countries like ours be making substantial contributions to help developing nations reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? What difference do you think the agreement will make here in Canada and around the world?

Our question today: What are your thoughts on the success of the Paris climate conference?