After marathon talks, negotiators reached a deal that was, until the final hours, in serious doubt.

The agreement papers over deep divisions, but its supporters insist that a flawed deal beats no deal at all.

Critics note that the toughest commitments were, once again, deferred.

A deal against the odds

Implementation, everyone agrees, is where the real fight begins.

"History will judge us on what we do next, not on this text."

Analysts point to a handful of forces driving the story forward:

  • New emissions targets, softly enforced
  • A fund for vulnerable nations
  • Timelines that stretch into the next decade

The ink is dry; the hard part is only beginning.