The climate talks are in their final stage in Cancun, and judging by reports nobody really has any idea how things will turn out. Here’s a random sample of headlines:

Cancun: Can We Avert Climate Chaos?

Climate talks move toward limp end

Kyoto Protocol Splits Nations at Tense Cancun Climate Talks

Even the deforestation text, which many had hoped could be a singular accomplishment for Cancun, is up in the air, not necessarily because there isn’t broad agreement but because there isn’t consensus. In particular, Bolivia’s Evo Morales, opposes the idea of linking forests to markets and says industrialized countries aren’t doing enough (many would agree, although Morales goes a step further and equates inaction with genocide).

But there were also hints of some progress. Reuters reports on a new compromise text that could help identify a way forward on Kyoto. And of course there’s plenty of buzz around Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s apparent blurring of the line between voluntary and binding emissions targets, which is also the line between developed and developing countries, which is what everybody has been fighting about for the past decade.

Initial reports suggested that Ramesh had reversed course and would be willing to accept binding targets. The International community interpreted his comments as an effort to seek out a middle ground and help broker an agreement, but Ramesh came under fire for selling out at home. He has since clarified that he was merely adding a little nuance and that India’s basic position – that it will not in fact take on binding targets – has not changed.

Nor have the big disputes: what to do about the Kyoto Protocol and ongoing tension between the United States and China. If this meeting is anything like the past few, it could be a while before we know anything. Stay tuned.