Expectations Low for Durban Climate Talks

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change opened Sunday in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa amid doubts developed countries will cough up the cash needed to help poorer countries reduce emissions.

The 12-day talks, due to wrap up Dec. 9, will discuss the extension of the Kyoto Protocol, due to expire next year, and transfer payments from industrialized countries to developing economies aimed at supporting their climate change efforts. Expectations for the conference are low. "It always seems impossible until it's done." UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said, quoting former South African president and antiapartheid activist Nelson Mandela.

The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by current South African President Jacob Zuma, who gave an optimistic take on the negotiations. "Change and solutions are always possible," he said. "In these talks, states, parties, we need to look beyond their national interest to find a global solution for the common good and benefit of all humanity."

"We've come a long way since Copenhagen and Cancun," Zuma added. "Durban must take us many steps forward towards a solution that saves tomorrow today."

Some 30,000 participants from governments, enterprises and non-government organizations and other members of civil society will participate in the conference. China sent a group of about 100 delegates to the conference. Xie Zhenhua, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic policymaker, will lead the delegation. He is due to arrive in Durban on Dec. 4.

Analysts said that the second week of negotiations, when minister-level meetings will be held, will be the decisive time to reach a binding treaty for the parties, and that the host country will spare no effort to push all parties to reach a treaty.