COP17 is the latest edition of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP). The conference follows on from COP16, which took place in December 2010 in Cancun, Mexico.

Find a collection of news from COP17 below.

12 Dec 2011 | Cities uncertain in the wake of COP17

As delegates leave Durban in the wake of the seventeenth UN Climate Summit, cities fear that its achievements, the so-called Durban Outcomes, will not be enough to slow down the pace of global warming. Gino van Begin, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI, has given local governments a voice, saying “The Durban Outcomes are a significant step forward to bring the deniers of the Kyoto Protocol back around the table and free countries of their hostage held by oil and coal lobbies. This is important to save our today, but too little and possibly too late to save our tomorrow.”

Van Begin lauded the outstanding climate action going on at the local level and called for support for local governments to ensure continued progress. He described local governments as “zooming past nations”, pointing to the adoption of the Durban Adaptation Charter, the increase in the number of signatories to the Mexico City Pact and the release of the “carbonn Cities Climate Registry 2011 Annual Report” in Durban. He looked ahead to Rio+20 as the next critical step in enhancing the institutional governance for sustainable development.

Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace International echoed van Begin, hailing the Durban Adaptation Charter as, “one of the few practical and positive things that comes out of this entire conference”. The Mayor of Durban, James Nxumalo, also put the spotlight firmly on the local level saying, “The Durban Adaptation Charter is a clear indication that the impacts of climate change can only be addressed through development that promotes human welfare, ensures ecosystem integrity and promotes a new greener economy, especially at the local level, since one out of two people in the world now lives in cities”

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6 Dec 2011 | Local governments sign historic charter

History has been made in Durban as 114 mayors and other local leaders representing over 950 local governments from around the globe, came together to sign the Durban Adaptation Charter, a political commitment to strengthen local resilience to climate change. The announcement came as the ICLEI-organised Durban Local Government Convention, which ran in parallel to COP17 from 2-4 December, drew to a close.

By signing the Charter, local governments have committed to unprecedented levels of local climate action. They are pledging to integrate climate change adaptation at the centre of development planning, while ensuring that adaptation and mitigation strategies are aligned. They are further committed to inclusive adaptation that recognises the needs of vulnerable communities and ensures sustainable local economic development.

Durbans Mayor, James Nxumalo, who led the signing of the Charter, stated, "Local governments from around the world made history today by committing themselves to enhanced adaptation action through their signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter. The Charter is a clear indication that the impacts of climate change can only be addressed through development that promotes human welfare, ensures ecosystem integrity and promotes a new greener economy.”

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1 Dec 2011 | COP 17 hits its stride

As day four of COP 17 kicks off, proceedings are well and truly underway. On Tuesday, working groups met for opening negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol and Local Climate Action. Local governments participated in a site visit to CDM landfill gas projects in the afternoon, followed by the discussion forum on the Economics of Low Carbon Cities.

ICLEI's Lucinda Fairhurst gave a presentation on how ICLEI is exploring and establishing the interconnective links between climate change impacts and multi-sectoral risks at a local level. With an eye on the future of the conference series, it was announced that COP 18 will be held in Qatar, with Korea due to host preparatory meetings.

Day three saw the progress of local climate action pick up pace as local governments took part in informal consultations on a wide range of agenda items. This intensive involvement is set to continue in the coming days with the Durban Local Government Convention, which will run in parallel to COP 17 from 2-4 December 2011.

For more information, please contact: climate-roadmap@iclei.org.

28 Nov 2011 | Durban conference faces up to growing climate change concerns

Today, delegates from nearly 200 countries gathered in Durban (South Africa) for the first day of the 17th Conference of the Parties, known as COP17. The event, which runs until 9 December 2011, is hugely significant in the struggle against climate change and aims to critically assess progress made to date.

Deputy General Secretary of ICLEI, Gino Van Begin, addressed participants at the conference’s opening plenary yesterday. He emphasised the importance of local initiatives in the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient society, saying “despite existing difficulties, nations can reach successes in Durban if you choose to engage more with local and sub-national governments as governmental stakeholders”, adding that “further delay is not an option”.

ICLEI representatives in Durban hope to underline the key role to be played by local governments and the enormous potential of local climate action. The world is in dire need of committed and concrete actions at a local level, which can be fully integrated into the efforts at the national and global level.

For more information, please contact: climate-roadmap@iclei.org.