{mosads}Figueres is coordinating international talks aimed at crafting a new global greenhouse gas emissions pact in 2015 that would come into force in 2020.

But the global talks have moved slowly, and appeared on the brink of collapse multiple times in recent years.

Negotiators face a tough slog to reach a deal that, unlike the Kyoto accords (which the U.S. never joined), imposes requirements on fast-developing, major emitters including China and India, as well as developed countries.