Next Stop Qatar

The outcome of the Durban talks is nevertheless an imperfect one. It cannot satisfy all participants. The span of the protocol's second commitment period remains unclear and the Green Climate Fund has been created without an overarching management mechanism or specific financing commitments.

Chinese delegation head Xie Zhenhua said the results of the Durban conference did not constitute a completion of negotiations under the Bali Roadmap.

"The implementation of the Cancun Agreements and the Durban outcome will not be achieved in the short run," Xie said. "We are faced with a heavy load of work ahead of us vis-à-vis the post-2020 arrangements."

Xie also lamented that some developed countries are reluctant to reduce emissions or to support developing countries with financial and technical aid.

"The lack of political will is the main element that hinders cooperation on climate change in the international community," he said. "We expect political sincerity from all developed countries next year in Qatar."

"We hope developed countries can work together with developing ones to implement the Cancun Agreements and the Durban outcome, address the unsolved problems from the Bali Roadmap through negotiations and go about realizing the mandate set under the Bali Roadmap. China is willing to work with all parties to contribute to achieving these outcomes."

Xie emphasized that China will make further contributions to the global climate change fight by taking stronger domestic actions and continuing to play an active role in relevant international talks.

Durban does not in any way represent an end to the hard slog in the campaign against climate change. Outstanding issues will be discussed at the next major UNFCCC Climate Change Conference, COP 18/CMP 8, which is to take place on Nov. 26 through Dec. 7, 2012 in Qatar.

Durban showed the world that, when there is a political will, countries are able to work together to produce tangible outcomes. As long as nations continue to follow the example set at Durban, the international community will keep taking steps in the right direction toward implementing a global solution to the truly global challenge of a changing climate.