Delegates at the UN COP27 climate change conference in Egypt remain divided over the goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, despite plans to hammer out a statement to that effect by Friday.

The agreement to make efforts to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels was set last year.

Negotiators are discussing how to accelerate ways to cut greenhouse gases.

Negotiating sources say developed nations, including the European Union and Japan, have expressed resolve to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.

But some emerging economies, including China, are resisting the inclusion of the target in the final agreement.

These countries are calling the figure a target to strive for, and they appear to be wary of further commitments to limit global warming.