BRUSSELS, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Climate agreements reached during negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, are "just the beginning" of what's needed for a binding deal, the European Union said.
Talks in Cancun wrapped up last weekend with modest proposals aimed at finding a global agreement on the best ways to address climate concerns.
Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the U.N. climate convention, said the international community sent a "clear signal" on the need to move toward a "low-emissions future."
Delegates at Cancun reached deals on forestry, technology transfer and funding to help developing nations adopt a green economy.
Jo Leinen, Europe's representative to the Cancun summit, said Europe's proposals on carbon dioxide reductions were welcomed by the international community.
"The U.N. climate conference in Cancun paved the way for a global climate treaty," he said in a statement. "It has also kept the path open to continue this multilateral process under the United Nations, as the EU had supported."
He added that the "building blocks" of the Cancun agreement go a long way toward protecting forests and establishing a climate fund.
"This is just the beginning, but it marks an important breakthrough toward a comprehensive and binding deal in South Africa next year," he added.
