Heavy tasks and expectations for COP17 to UN climate change convention

Speaking at the official opening of COP17, executive secretary of UNFCCC Christiana Figueres called for concrete policies to be implemented during the on going conference in Durban, reports Xinhua. "The process needs to take two decisive steps here in Durban, finishing the tasks from COP16 and answering the key political questions that remained unanswered in Cancun," Figueres told the delegates. "Finishing the task from Cancun means translating policy into concrete action." This includes launching the adaptation committee, approving the modalities and guidelines for national adaptation plans and progress on approaches to address loss and damages.