Publication

This commentary argues that the most important decisions made at COP17 in Durban concern the future of the Kyoto Protocol and the new global climate change treaty. It was decided to extend the Kyoto Protocol for the second commitment period and agree next year on the quantified emission limits after 2013. Compromise was also reached on a new legally binding document for all parties to the Convention. However, the author notes that negotiations on that document can be as difficult as recent negotiations within the framework of the Bali Action Plan.