Climate coalition breaks cover in Paris to push for binding and ambitious deal

Alliance representing more than 100 countries, including US, shows developed and developing world can work together, says EU climate chief

A coalition representing more than 100 countries, formed in secrecy six months ago, has emerged at key UN talks in Paris to push for a legally binding global and ambitious deal on climate change.

The "high ambition coalition" speaks for the majority of the 195 countries at the crunch conference and consists of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, the US and all of EU member states. But notable exceptions include major developing countries such as China and India.