The Paris climate summit can deliver progress –if national legislators lead the way | John Prescott and Andrew Hammond

Country 'commitments' put forward in Paris will be more credible - and durable beyond the next election - if they are backed up by national legislation

International climate talks have progressed in recent years at what the UN secretary general has called a "snail's pace". The sheer complexity of reaching an ambitious international agreement has stymied the negotiations. That is why national legislation should be at the heart of the anticipated new Paris agreement to tackle climate change.

A country "commitment" put forward in Paris will be more credible - and durable beyond the next election - if it is backed up by national legislation. And this must ideally be supported by cross-party lawmakers who put in place a credible set of policies and measures to ensure effective implementation, and hold governments to account so Paris delivers.