The parties to the convention have met annually from 1995 in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change.
In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was concluded and for the first time established legally binding obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Whether or not more landmark policies to fight climate change will be agreed in Durban, COP 17 is an opportunity for South Africa to take a leadership position in showcasing its efforts to address this global issue.
COP 15, held in Copenhagen in 2009, marked a huge shift in the politics of the fight against climate change when South Africa, alongside China, India and Brazil, played a key role in drafting the Copenhagen Accord.
Unfortunately, COP 15 was seen by many as a failure because of the conference's inability to pass binding carbon reduction policies. However, others have argued that this perceived failure at Copenhagen may prove useful, if it allows new global leaders like South Africa to rally the support of developing countries and broaden dialogue on the critical issues of climate change.
Durban, as host to COP 17, is foremost an African city, a place of rich contrasts and honored traditions where vast undeveloped landscapes provide the backdrop for large-scale urban growth and traditional rural lifestyles. Through this diversity, the city embodies the challenges facing most cities in the developing world. Read the full report here.
Source: by Miller Matola, China Daily.
