World leaders are engaged in the annual United Nations talks on climate change in Durban, South Africa. The UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) encompasses 194 countries all of whom send representatives to the meeting. The talks are to continue for two weeks with the aim of finding a solution and discussing methods of dealing with future problems resulting from climate change.

South African President Jacob Zuma attended the initial talks and said: “For most people in the developing world and Africa, climate change is a matter of life and death. We are always reminded by the leaders of small island states that climate change threatens their very existence.” For African leaders to be hosting this meeting actually in Africa is vital as it will enable them to push their concerns to the top of the agenda. The drought in the Horn of Africa has had massive repercussions across the whole region as the mass influx of refugees puts strain on already stretched resources in neighbouring countries such as Kenya

South Africa is making an effort in the global programme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and they have committed to reducing carbon emissions by 34% in 2020 and by 42% in 2025, but that it would only be attainable with strong financial and technical support from developed countries.