International climate change negotiations are proceeding slowly, perhaps too slowly to limit warming to 2C warming. The talks are based upon a holistic approach to a deal (nothing is achieved until everything is achieved) and consensus-based agreements. Reaching consensus entails understanding the multiple dimensions inherent in a negotiation process: the dynamics of politics, negotiations and groups; as well as power, data and information.

In recognition of the complexities and difficulties in achieving a meaningful international climate change deal, PwC and CDKN hosted an event in October 2012: Is consensus in international climate change talks the way to save the planet?

This policy brief, How to build consensus in climate change negotiations, is the result of the event, where leading thinkers presented their ideas for increasing the collective global ambition for climate action. The event, and this paper, are outputs of CDKN’s International Negotiations workstream, a fund to strengthen the voices of developing countries in the international climate negotiations