A group of countries including the UK have published a letter rejecting the new draft deal.
“We express deep concern regarding the current proposal under consideration for a take it or leave it,” it said.
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
A source close to the negotiations said that Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations are blocking the fossil fuel deal. The BBC has approached Saudi Arabia for comment.
French Environment Minister Monique Barbut said the deal is being blocked by “oil-producing countries – Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, but joined by many emerging countries.”
She suggested that small island nations may agree to a weaker deal on fossil fuels if they secured more finance to adapt to the changes in their countries caused by rising temperatures.
On France’s position she said:”At this point, even if we don’t have the roadmap, but at least a mention of the fossil fuels, I think we would accept it. But as it stands now, we have nothing left.”
Dropping the language is likely to be a negotiating tactic to raise the temperature at the talks and force countries to come to agreement.
The meeting is a fraught and delicate diplomatic process as countries jostle to protect their national interests, while also attempting to address the issue of climate change.
Some observers question the value of the complex, legalistic talks which almost always over-run.
But others point to the significant advances in measures to tackle climate change, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and protection of nature in recent years linked to COP agreements.