"PANAMA CITY — With just weeks to go before UN talks on climate change open in South Africa, negotiators have shifted their goal from striking a historic deal to ensuring that the global system survives."

"Participants have long billed the conference opening on November 28 in Durban as a last chance to find a way forward on fighting climate change, with the Kyoto Protocol's commitments to cut carbon emissions expiring after 2012.

Officials from key nations reported progress in preparatory talks that closed Friday in Panama City -- not in resolving the most knotty issues, but in starting to work out a technical framework for the future."

Shaun Tandon reports for AFP October 9, 2011.
[2]
SEE ALSO:

"Climate Change Negotiators See No Major Durban Deal" (Reuters)
[3]
"Climate Change: India Ready To Play Hard Ball" (Hindustan Times) [4]

"Financing Quarrels Mar UN Climate Talks in Panama" (ENS) [5]