The Marshall Islands' head of delegation, John Silk, used a canoe analogy to lament statement as falling far short.

"I came here from my home in the islands to work with you all to solve the greatest challenge of our generation."

"I came here to build a canoe together for my country. Instead, we have built a canoe with a weak and leaky hull, full of holes. Instead, we have put it in the water."

The negotiator had warned that an earlier draft marked a "death warrant" for his nation, which is just 2.1 meters (7 feet) above sea level.