The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Durban from 28 November to 9 December. The 194-party conference agreed to start negotiations on a new accord to ensure that countries will be legally bound to carry out any pledges they make. It would take effect by 2020 at the latest.

Currently only industrial countries have legally binding emissions targets under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Those commitments expire next year, but they will be extended for at least another five years, a key demand by developing countries seeking to preserve the only existing treaty regulating carbon emissions.

The Durban conference also witnessed agreement on the structure of the Green Climate Fund, a vehicle of assistance for the developing world to adopt environment-friendly technologies and adapt to climate change. Industrialised nations must now match rhetoric with solid action to raise the $100 billion that will be needed yearly for the fund from 2020.

For the first time, the US, India and China, who make up almost half of the world’s emissions, have agreed to cut emissions as part of a legal treaty. Xie Zhenhua, China’s top climate negotiator, said that China is willing to shoulder responsibilities in line with its development and capability as long as the legal framework after 2020 will comply with the principles of “common but differentiated” responsibilities.