UN climate talks get underway

Talks have opened under the UN international climate treaty to seek ways to curb ever-rising emissions of climate-changing pollution.

South African President Jacob Zuma is to address delegates in Durban from more than 190 countries who will try to resolve differences between rich and poor countries on responsibilities for emissions cuts.

UN climate official Christiana Figueres said future commitments by industrial countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions was “the defining issue of this conference”.

But she said that was linked to pledges that developing countries must make to join the fight against climate change.

She quoted anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”