Final Negotiations Commence in Durban

Some 130 ministers will arrive Tuesday at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban, South Africa for high-level negotiations that will continue this past week's progress and hopefully lead to a final deal.

A greater consensus regarding a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol, a key issue in the climate talks has been reached since negotiations began in Durban last week, UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said.

"Countries are now discussing how to build a second commitment period rather than whether to have the second commitment period," she said. "It's an important shift."

Figueres said that under a second potential commitment period countries would have to meet ambitious targets for emissions reduction before 2020. She said countries would have a chance to modify emissions reduction targets this week.

The United States is not bound by Kyoto's obligations; furthermore, Canada, Russia and Japan have said they will not renew the 1997 Kyoto Protocol pledges that expire next year.

Figueres remained confident that new targets would be set despite previous political hang-ups.

"Canada, Russia and Japan won't stand away, because they've never been against the [Kyoto] protocol and they will continue to contribute to emissions reduction," Fugueres said. "At the same time, [these countries and the U.S.] will also make a comparable effort under the UNFCCC convention, which is still under discussion."

Xie Zhenhua, head of China's delegation, said Monday that China is willing to accept a legally binding commitment after 2020 with certain conditions, which would include an extension of the Kyoto Protocol.

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the president of the COP17, said China is currently in discussions regarding how its commitments would be orchestrated, but is hopeful that a new deal can be reached.

A key issue in the talks will be the financial aid developing countries need to help mitigate climate change. Last week, the transitional committee for the Green Climate Fund, initially proposed in Cancun last year, confirmed that developed countries will pledge $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing nations cope with the necessary changes to reduce carbon emissions.

"Although the mechanism made by the committee is not perfect, we are keen to take the process forward." Mashabane said.

The G77 (Group of 77) countries, China and South America have raised concerns that the Green Climate Fund will be primarily provided by developed countries and private sector sources. They suggested the Fund should be run by an institution that is accountable to all the countries attending the talks.

"We are very happy to see the negotiators make progress and I appeal to every country to do as much as we can and leave less for the future." Mashabane said.

Tuesday marked the ninth day of the COP17, which will end on Dec. 9.

Xie Zhenhua, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Committee, speaks with reporters. [China.org.cn]