Countries Agree Climate Deal at Durban

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Durban, a city on the east coast of South Africa, has hosted the most recent climate change conference in November and December 2011. As climate change is an international issue that requires co-operation between governments to find a workable solution, so the agreements that have been reached at the conference are a very positive step forward as we strive towards cleaner air and more environmentally friendly energy generation. These goals will not hinder economic development, a belief that has been central to the agreements of the Durban conference.

The last international conference on climate change was held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2007. This conference had a more disappointing outcome – those countries in attendance were unable to reach an agreement on the targets for emissions. These conventions mean that there is an international agreement to work towards a lasting solution to this serious issue. When it mattered the governments of the United Nations were able agree a set of measures to tackle the climate change and the problems that it creates.

A mixture of voluntary agreements and legal requirements, nations have agreed to emissions targets that need to be met. The difference now is that the three countries that release most emissions, the USA, China and India; have agreed to targets – showing they are ready to take action to mitigate climate change. The agreements of Durban show there is now an international imperative to tackle global warming.