United Nations climate change talks in Cancun, Mexico, have reached a deal to curb climate change, including a fund to help developing countries.

A section of delegates to the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Mexico in 2010. PHOTO: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Nations endorsed compromise texts drawn up by the Mexican hosts, despite objections from Bolivia.

The draft documents say deeper cuts in carbon emissions are needed, but do not establish a mechanism for achieving the pledges countries have made.

Some countries’ resistance to the Kyoto Protocol had been a stumbling block during the final week of negotiations. However, diplomats were able to find a compromise.

Delegates cheered speeches from governments that had caused the most friction during negotiations – Japan, China, even the US – as one by one they endorsed the draft.

BBC environment correspondent Richard Black said the meeting did not achieve the comprehensive, all-encompassing deal that many activists and governments want. But he said it was being “touted as a platform on which that comprehensive agreement can be built”.

The Green Climate Fund is intended to raise and disburse $100 billion (£64 billion) a year by 2020 to protect poor nations against climate impacts and assist them with low-carbon development. A new Adaptation Committee will support countries as they establish climate protection plans. And parameters for funding developing countries to reduce deforestation are outlined.

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