Analysts not worried by climate deal delay

PARIS — Analysts say a delay in the Paris climate talks is not necessarily a bad sign.

They said it is not surprising, given that international negotiators are trying for an accord that will change the global economy over the long term.

“This needs consensus,” said Michael Jacobs, an economist with the New Climate Economy project, speaking to reporters outside Paris. “There’s a lot of negotiating to do.”

The French co-host of the talks said the final accord wouldn’t be ready Friday as hoped but would run until Saturday.

Economist and climate expert Lord Nicholas Stern said an accord cutting carbon emissions over the long term is important for the business world, and so it is important to get broad agreement.

“Those making investments now can be much more confident that making those low carbon will be profitable, and making them high carbon carries financial risk,” he said.

Sam Barratt of advocacy group Avaaz said, “These talks matter. We would rather they take their time and were patient with the right deal than rush it and get a breakdown … Getting 200 countries to agree on anything is tough. Getting them to agree on the future of the planet and a deal on climate change is probably one of the toughest pieces of negotiation they’ll ever get involved in.”