WEEK 1
KYOTO
After four years of squabbling, the countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol finally agreed to accounting rules for the international treaty's second phase. This sounds technical, but has a big effect on Australia. The tiny Caribbean nation of St Lucia did a deal with Australia and South Africa to allow land sector emissions to be included in calculating emissions under Kyoto.
Malcolm Turnbull agreed to ratify Kyoto II, even if the rules don't go Australia's way. It sent a signal of commitment to the globe, but allows Australia to access carry-over emission credits for things like reductions in deforestation.
Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Britain agreed to forfeit carry-over credits to show "support for an ambitious global climate agreement here in Paris".
THE TEXT
The agreement text was shaved from 54 to 48 pages after days of negotiations by 196 countries. It still includes a maze of bracketed items and options. Major issues such as finance and target reviews remain unresolved. Despite the negotiations being slow and tedious, the conference atmosphere remains optimistic.
DIVISIONS
Saudi Arabia was a stumbling block on stricter limits to global warming. The disagreement over a more ambitious 1.5C target is splitting vulnerable nations such as Costa Rica away from large developing economies like Saudi Arabia and China. It's understood Saudi negotiators spent hours objecting to small things such as full stops and semi-colons.
There was some division among Pacific Island nations over the option of risk insurance rather than compensation, as some of them discussed with Barack Obama. Tuvalu Prime Minister Helene Sopoaga called for unity.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Australia had a role in the so-called Mission Innovation, spearheaded by Bill Gates, which aims to double investment in renewable innovation over the next five years. It would take Australia's spend to $200 million by 2020. China, India and the US also signed.
India and France announced the Indian Solar Alliance, which aims to boost solar investment across 120 countries.
Australia ratified Kyoto, announced a research project into "blue carbon" stored in marine life like mangroves, and pledged $58 million to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef.
But it was criticised for refusing to sign an NZ-led bid to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.
LEADERS
Having leaders at the start rather than the end was a success (in Copenhagen, leaders spoke on the last day, confusing the process). It drew many international journalists for the opening and gave the conference momentum. Many leaders made strong statements in support of climate action. Mr Turnbull assured the world Australia was not daunted, but rather inspired, by the challenge of climate change.
